Hi, my name is Leah, and I’m a single mom fighting with everything I have to protect and provide for my 3-year-old daughter, Nova.

This past year has been the hardest of my life. I’ve been in an ongoing custody case to ensure Nova’s safety and stability. Her father is a registered sex offender, and I’ve been doing everything within the court process to make sure her best interests are protected. The judge did not grant the psychosexual evaluation my attorney requested, and our case is now moving to trial in two weeks.

It’s been really hard to accept how slow and complicated the process can be when it comes to protecting children. I’m doing everything I can to make sure Nova’s safety and wellbeing remain at the center of every decision.

Before Nova started preschool, I was a stay-at-home mom. I haven’t worked in over three years, and reentering the workforce after that time has been challenging. I’ve applied for remote jobs so I can stay available for Nova, but haven’t had any luck securing one.

As a single parent, every financial and emotional responsibility falls on me — from rent and groceries (thank God for SNAP’s assistance) to car repairs, legal fees, and the daily costs of raising a child. I was a homeowner before all of this began, but the proceeds from the sales of both homes I owned have been completely consumed by attorney fees and living costs. I’ve done everything I can to stay self-sufficient and responsible while fighting to protect my daughter, but the financial strain has become overwhelming.

I haven’t had to pay for supervised visitation because the evaluation was denied, but I’ve had to come up with several thousand dollars in car repairs just to stay mobile for work and parenting. Every dollar I’ve earned has gone toward legal costs, transportation, utilities, keeping a roof over our heads, and starting a new business.

My financial situation has become even more difficult recently due to changes outside my control. Support that was previously helping to cover some of Nova’s expenses may no longer be available, which has made it even harder to stay current on bills and rent.

Before finding our current home, Nova and I were houseless for five days. During that time I searched relentlessly for somewhere safe and stable for us to live. It was one of the most vulnerable and frightening experiences of my life as a mother, and I never want to be in that position again. This home has been our foundation of safety and peace, and losing it would undo everything I’ve worked for.

Through all of this, my sobriety and reconnecting with God have given me immense strength and clarity. I’ve seen doors open for us at exactly the right moments, and I truly believe that grace has carried us through. I’m also learning to accept people’s love and support (something that hasn’t always come easily to me) and to trust that we don’t have to walk through this season alone.

I’ll be honest — my pride has gotten in the way of asking for help in the past. I’ve always tried to handle everything on my own, even when things were falling apart. But through this experience, I’ve learned a lot about humility, grace, and what it really means to let people in. Starting this GoFundMe has been an act of faith for me. It’s also made it clear that it’s time to apply for Section 8 and accept whatever help is available, because stability for Nova matters more than my pride ever could.

Recently, I went back to school to start a new career as a licensed nail technician. This work allows me to build a future that fits around Nova’s needs. I can be there for her when she’s not in school, while doing something that brings joy, creativity, and connection instead of more stress. I love what I do and I’m determined to build something sustainable for our future, but the next six months will be very difficult financially while I continue growing my client base.

My credit has been heavily impacted by the legal process, so I don’t qualify for another rental if we lose this one. The Section 8 waitlist here in Douglas County is over 18 months long. I’m doing everything I can to stay afloat, but I need help to bridge this gap so Nova and I don’t lose our home.

If you can contribute, share, or even just send a kind message — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support means more than words can express.

And if you or someone you know is looking for a nail technician in the Roseburg area, I would love the chance to provide my services. Referrals and new clients help more than you know, as I continue to build a new life for us.

To show my gratitude, I’m offering $10 off for each referral who books an appointment with me. Even if you can’t donate, sharing my business or recommending me to someone local truly helps keep us going. Every client who walks through the door brings us one step closer to stability.

This goal reflects six months of essential expenses (rent, utilities, transportation, and legal fees) while I continue growing my business and working toward long-term stability for Nova and me.

Every bit of help, every dollar, every client, every referral, every share brings us one step closer to safety and stability.

With gratitude,

Leah & Nova