There is one graphic picture to give you an idea of the very traumatic ordeal we navigated. This is my story.

My name is Juronica, and I am a survivor of domestic violence, raising three wonderful children on my own. I have owned my home since 2006, and for the past eight years, I have been trying to get divorced and start over, but the journey has been incredibly difficult. I am on a fixed income, receive no child support, and aside from a small amount of food assistance, we get no help. My number one goal is to keep our home safe from foreclosure, but I struggle to keep up with the payments. I have endured financial and sexual abuse, suffered multiple injuries, and faced overwhelming legal and emotional challenges. My second goal is to get dental work to restore my smile. After my abuser knocked out my tooth, I was able to get my mouth repaired, but he later discovered that I needed more work done due to not only abuse but the after effects of the circumstances. I can’t afford to get it fixed again. This has been incredibly painful and embarrassing. Although I am able to navigate in my social life having all these issues fixed would incredibly increase my self-esteem and allow me to better integrate and communicate with others. This is affecting me in many many ways. He was extremely happy that I suffered this unfortunate circumstance and because he knew that my smile meant so much to me he was eager to let me know that it was the last thing that he could take and I would like to have it back.

The financial abuse has been devastating. My savings were stolen, every credit card was maxed out, my 401k and tax credits were taken, and my ex’s brother, a CPA, was involved. Although I have had my children with me for over 10 years without a break, the IRS did not believe they live with me, and I was audited. I provided statements of financial income, social security documentation, as well as information from the school showing that they were registered however the IRS still want it copies of birth certificates and unfortunately my house is broken into and all my documents were stolen and at the time I could not afford to replace them. I could not find any assistance at the time, I was dealing with a sexual misconduct case and my mental state made it impossible to fight the audit, so I lost and now owe money I shouldn’t. I desperately need a tax lawyer or representative, possibly pro bono, to help me. H&R Block told me my case was egregious and full of fraud, but they couldn’t help. This was due to the complexity and nature of the fraud and I was told to go down to the IRS however due to financial issues and lack of transportation as well as illness and other complications I am and became exhausted and overwhelmed. Cognitive dissonance makes it hard to do everything I need to do. Everything I have goes toward my children, and it's not only a struggle to provide them what they need but it's also a struggle to give them any type of activities or fun. We've never been on vacation and we don't have many resources for entertainment and extracurricular activities.

The stress and trauma have taken a toll on my health, causing extremely high blood pressure that has not improved in over a year. Living in constant fight or flight has changed my thinking and affected my body, leading to weight gain and feelings of hopelessness. At one point, I even attempted to take my own life because I felt there was no escape. After five orders of protection, a refrain order, changes the legislation that basically led to only tickets being issued I felt like I was waiting for someone else to harm me, had no protection, and all those separated for 8 years without cohabitating, anytime there was financial abuse and or fraud I had little to no options because we were still technically married and it is considered a civil matter which is not fair and it is devastating. I now know there is light at the end of the tunnel and I refuse to give up. My faith in God has restored a sense of wholeness and I refuse to be defeated. I now know that I can't be broken unless I allow it. I am stepping out on faith, believing in God and the kindness of others. Music has been a source of hope for me—I wrote a song about mental health and self-harm that made it on the radio and won an Independent Music Award.

It is incredibly embarrassing and humbling for me to ask for help, and I have felt ashamed to reach out. But I now realize that I am stronger than I once thought, and I need help to escape this feeling of being trapped and to rebuild our lives. The funds raised will go toward keeping our home, urgent dental work, reliable transportation, savings accounts for my children, clothing, furniture, and much-needed repairs to our home. I also hope to start a small business to become financially stable again, access independent counseling for PTSD and mental health, and provide my children with opportunities we have never had, like a family vacation. Legal support is also crucial, as I am still fighting for my divorce and freedom from my abuser, and now need help with tax and audit issues.

After eight years of trying to manage alone, I am seeking any type of help—whether it be mental support, mentorship, or financial donations. I am dedicated to being the best version of myself for my children and to paying it forward when I am able. Any support given will be used to better not only my life but also my children’s, helping us escape the purgatory we have been held in for so long. We are a loving, strong family, and we just need someone to believe in us. I am forever grateful for any help, and I have faith that with your support, we can finally start over and shine again. This brief description cannot articulate what I have been through and the one picture is only a glimpse of what I have endured. I am hoping that you can find it in your heart to donate any resource that will be helpful to the reestablishment of my life business and fresh start. I'm grateful to everyone and anyone who even reads my story. I appreciate everyone who considers and even those who don't but took the time to listen to what I have to say.