Help Ayanna & Paula - Mental Health Recovery Journey

Hello,

My name is Manny Addai and my family met Ayanna when she was 9 years old (in 2019) though AYSO soccer. I was her soocer coach that fall season. Within weeks of knowing her, I could sense and see how this biracial girl was looking for identity and how her lack of a father in her life was affecting her adversely. She was being raised by an awesome and amazing single mother and had one little bother. My family has stayed a constant presence in Ayanna and her family's life since that one season of soccer.

Her mother has had to quit her job as of this past Friday (March 22nd) to focus on Ayanna's wellbeing since she is set to be released this coming week.This family led by a single mother is already struggling financially and yet the journey ahead, in turn, will become more challenging. My hope is to help raise $15,000 to help this single mother of two kids have three to four months of a "financial runway" so she can focus on Ayanna's health and recovery. This money will help with the family's monthly expenses and the specialized care coming up for Ayanna's needs. Having to look or worry about finding new remote work as a single mother this season with a Sucidal daughter just does not work well. I know how difficult it is to heal from this trauma as a parent, even with an amazing spouse and great support l receive from family and friends.

At age 14 today, Ayanna is struggling with her identity more than ever. Over the last year, depression, despair, and suicidal thoughts have dominated her young mind. She is unhappy and although her mom has sought therapy and a host of other help for her, Ayanna has continued to struggle. Two weeks ago, Ayanna started sending notes to her friends at school thanking them for their friendships, and letting them know she did not want to live anymore. The school got involved and made her mom and authorities aware. It was determined that she had also started cutting herself pretty badly for a period of time.

About a week ago, Ayanna got her hands on some prescription pills and internationally overdosed. By God's grace, her plans were unsuccesful. Today she is at a psychiatric hospital being treated.

I absolutely love Ayanna and want to see her well. This 14 year old just wants to be happy in life, as she told me last week, while at the hospital with her. She is struggling with a lack of identity, abandonment, and rejection issues that are deep from what I have seen. I am doing my part in her life and asking you to consider sowing a seed into her life so her mother has the time needed to help her daughter heal. God is good, God is very faithful and I am believing 100% for Ayanna's healing mentally, physically and spiritually. God loves her and I do too. Please pray for Ayanna and consider any amount in a financial donations. Please also consider writing her a short email speaking life into her. Ask me for my email and I will print and hand deliver each letter to her.

Thank you for reading this message. You are sowing into a life that matters to me but more importantly, God.

Love❤️

Manny