In 2018, one year after losing my brother and just months before losing my daughter’s father and also my best friend, I made the decision to get off heroin. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made, but I made it, and I stayed off of it.

Recovery didn’t magically fix the damage I caused during active addiction. I still had to face the consequences of my past while learning how to rebuild my life from the ground up. Over the years, I fought hard to get my daughter back, keep a roof over our heads, maintain transportation, and create a small cleaning business to support us when finding stable employment became difficult because of my record and past mistakes.

Today, I am proud to say I have celebrated 8 years clean. But more than anything, I want to continue building a life my daughter can be proud of. I want meaningful work, work that matters and that I genuinely enjoy.

Recently, an opportunity was brought to my attention to work in a newer mental health treatment facility offering innovative treatment options for people struggling with depression. This opportunity could truly change the direction of our lives financially, emotionally, and professionally. It’s work I would love to do because I know firsthand what it feels like to struggle, to feel hopeless, and to need support.

Before addiction, I earned my Clinical Medical Assistant certification in 2013. To reinstate that certification now, I must complete 60 CEU hours costing $520, along with paying $160 to retake the state board exam.

As hard as it is for me to ask for help, I’m asking anyway. If you know me now, or even knew me then,

I hope maybe you’ve seen the growth, the change, and the effort I’ve put into rebuilding my life. If you’re able to contribute anything at all toward these costs, it would mean more than I can put into words. Even sharing this fundraiser or simply taking the time to read my story means a lot to me.

No matter what, I will continue fighting for a better future for my daughter and me. I’m just hoping this opportunity might help us get there a little sooner.

Thank you so much for your time, support, and kindness.