Help Jae’lyn Begin Again: A Survivor’s Fresh Start to Peace

Hello everyone, my name is Jae’lyn Johnson. I’m 22 years old, a recent college graduate, and someone who’s finally choosing peace over silence.

For years, especially throughout my teenage life to now, I kept quiet to protect the image of my narcissistic parents and to avoid the emotional and physical abuse that followed whenever I tried to speak my truth, especially during the time I was a child up to being a growing teenager.

I’ve longed for freedom and stability but I’ve reached the point where I can’t carry this weight in silence anymore. Now that I’ve successfully finished college, I face a new challenge: breaking free from the toxic home environment that still threatens my mental and emotional well-being. This is my cry out for help and I am not afraid to admit it.

On May 10, 2025 I graduated with Summa Cum Laude from college after four long, challenging years of working hard without the emotional, financial, or moral support of my biological parents and the rest of my family due to negative narratives being proposed by them and overall wanting to see me struggle since I wanted and still want so much more for myself. That journey made me stronger but it also showed me how deeply I’ve been surviving and not truly living.

My twin sister and I were raised in a household controlled by emotional manipulation, constant criticism, and mental warfare. Our parents rarely supported our dreams and tried almost our entire life comparing us so that they could pin us against each other, knowing that we’re all each other truly had when it came to family. They also tried EVERYTHING in their power to live through us, dictate our paths, and shame us for choosing independence. Still to this day, we never asked for much and that was always an issue. I’ve personally always found ways to get what I needed on our own and that formed intimidation and resentment from my parents. The unfortunate thing is, they wanted and still want to see me struggle after seeing me be able to figure out life alone and accomplish so much without them.

After graduation, I tried to find my footing as I originally started off living in a residence that I was not familiar with, to then going back to live with my parents temporarily after receiving 10+ calls from my mother 3-5 days after graduation desperately asking me to come back home, “It’s not safe out here, I want you to come back home. We love you. The world doesn’t”. I thought to myself how not seeing one another for years could have this opportunity be room for growth. However, their ongoing control and emotional abuse have not changed and that made it clear that I MUST leave for good if I want peace and to build a healthy future.

That’s why I’ve created this GoFundMe, to raise funds for a safe, stable place to live, and basic necessities as I take the vital steps toward independence and healing. This isn’t just about housing; it’s about reclaiming my life and mental health. The valuable things I’ve longed for and continue to work hard to obtain in the most healthiest way.

Every dollar raised will bring me closer to safety, freedom, and a fresh start away from emotional, mental, and physical harm. If you’re unable to donate, sharing my story helps tremendously by spreading the word, giving me hope, and showing others out there who are possibly dealing with the same unfortunate circumstance or something similar that they are NOT alone.

Thank you for listening, for believing in me, and for helping me build the peaceful, independent life I’ve fought so hard to reach.

With gratitude and hope,

Jae’lyn Johnson