My name is Abigail. I am a single mother living in the Bay Area, California with a 14-year-old daughter. I am legally deaf. I moved to the United States in 2018 to marry an American man with who I was in a long-distance relationship with while I was living in Germany. 


After 3 or 4 months of living with my husband, he became physically and verbally abusive towards me, frequently in front of my daughter. After several traumatic experiences, I decided to leave with my daughter in February of 2020. Our marriage was legally terminated later that year. My husband was placed under a restraining order but violated the order several times. He entered my apartment illegally and stole important documents, our laptops, phones, tablets, and other important devices I use to communicate as a deaf person. 


I am currently in the process of applying for my Work Visa, but because of the long process with immigration paperwork, I am not able to apply to work for a company. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, I was working in various service-related jobs, such as childcare. When the pandemic started, I lost all my work. I also got into a car accident and no longer have a vehicle. My daughter and I have been staying with a friend but do not have long-term housing. 


With these funds and any other money I can make, I plan to save for a camper van or RV so that my daughter and I can have a place to live. I am so grateful for any support I can receive.