My name is Shannon, and I am helping to raise funds for my friend, Andrea.

Andrea is a mother of five beautiful children, and for years she has been living a nightmare behind closed doors. While raising her babies and trying to hold a family together, she faced unimaginable abuse from the person who was supposed to love and protect her.

Her husband subjected her to repeated and escalating violence; slamming her to the ground, kicking and punching her, stomping on her stomach and back, and sexually assaulting her. He continued to abuse her even during pregnancy. The trauma was so severe and sustained that doctors now believe it caused lasting damage to her spine, ultimately leading to the neck and spine surgery she needed last year.

Andrea begged for help. She even sent photos of her injuries—bloody, bruised, and terrified—to his family. They turned their backs on her and didn't even respond to her messages.

Still, she kept going. Still, she kept loving. Still, she kept fighting for her children.

Against all odds, while carrying the weight of abuse alone, Andrea is in school full-time, while paying her tuition herself and working as a substitute teacher. She will earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology in May. She has worked tirelessly to create a future where she can stand on her own and raise her children in peace.

Now, she is finally trying to break free.

Why She Needs You Now

Andrea is in the middle of a brutal divorce and custody battle. Her husband—who is facing multiple abuse charges—is still using money as a weapon:

• His parents fund his legal team, and he still continues to send her legal bills demanding that she pay half.

• He controls how much money she receives, leaving Andrea to cover expenses for five children.

• She works as a substitute teacher while attending school full-time and paying her tuition herself, but she cannot work any more than this because she is the only parent responsible for:

• Three daily carpools

• Multiple weekly therapy appointments

• Driving to dance, softball, and other activities that give her children joy and stability

• She has run out of funds for a family lawyer to help with her divorce and custody case.

Andrea has tried everything—calling organizations, and looking for pro bono lawyers but to no avail. She needs your help.

Your donation can help Andrea:

• Hire a family lawyer for her divorce and custody case

• Cover essential needs for her children: school supplies, clothing, activities, therapy, and basic necessities

• Maintain stability and routines for her children

• Support Andrea as she rebuilds a life free from fear and abuse

Every dollar gets her one step closer to safety, justice, and stability.

Andrea has been brave for so long. Now, she needs a community behind her. She needs people who believe she deserves safety. She needs help to finish this fight.

If you feel called to give, know this: you are helping a mother rebuild her life and saving five children from growing up in the shadow of abuse.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for giving. Thank you for helping Andrea and her children take their first real steps toward peace and healing.