Hello, my name is Cristela, and I’m a 24-year-old mother of two beautiful toddlers, ages 3 and 2. Recently, I made the hardest but most important decision of my life — leaving a situation that had become unsafe for both myself and my children. We are now living in a domestic violence shelter, where I am receiving the help and protection needed to rebuild our lives. Before entering shelter care, I was a full-time working mom with great pay and benefits while caring for my children full-time. Unfortunately, I had to leave my position in order to keep us safe and relocate. That means I am now temporarily without income as I begin rebuilding from the ground up. After sharing my story publicly, many people have reached out offering prayers, words of encouragement, and requests to help. This GoFundMe is the best way to provide direct support for our next steps — securing safe, permanent housing and continuing the healing process for my children and me. My dream is to provide my children with a loving, stable home where they can grow freely and feel safe. I also plan to return to work once we are settled and to continue advocating for women and mothers rebuilding after trauma. Every dollar truly makes a difference. Even the smallest donations bring us one step closer to safety, stability, and a fresh start. If you cannot donate, please know that sharing this campaign helps us just as much. Thank you for believing in us and helping us rebuild our lives with peace, strength, and dignity. With gratitude, Cristela