Help Me Rebuild Stability & Safety After Trauma and Hardship

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out during one of the most difficult and humbling times of my life. Over the past year, I’ve endured a series of devastating events that have left me struggling to regain stability and, most importantly, safety. Despite my strength and determination, I’ve reached a point where I need help to continue moving forward.

To give some context:

Last July, with the help of a Domestic Violence hotline, called loveisrespect.org, I made the brave decision to leave a toxic, emotionally and psychologically abusive marriage that drained me for three years. This relationship was rife with manipulation, my soul was robbed empty, and walking away meant leaving behind everything I had built. It was a decision I don’t regret because it was necessary for my survival, but it left me starting over with nothing.

From there, I moved to Atlanta in search of a fresh start, but what I thought would be an opportunity to rebuild became a series of unimaginable challenges. A trusted friend, named Joseph Scaglione, someone I thought of as a brother, betrayed me—damaging my belongings, stealing from me, and ultimately putting me out on the streets. With nowhere to go, I ended up staying in a trap house with drug dealers, whom I'd just met at a party he took me to before the horrendous events I detailed above occured; Who extorted me for nearly $1,000. During the time of the extortion [that virtually emptied my PayPal account of the security deposit (and little savings I had to my name from working) I'd just received back from the landlord in Philly, where I was living and working full time], I was in constant fear of being raped, or worse, and the trauma of not knowing if I’d make it through that night haunted me. I had a panic attack, while they watched and continued the extortion. I have also experienced sexual violence in the past, at the hands of my biological mother, and different men I ran to as a teenager when she put me out into the streets of Chicago where I grew up, which only deepened my sense of vulnerability and fear.

Despite these hardships, I managed to secure a room for January, where I am currently, thank GOD, but rent is due again, in about a week, and I’m running out of options. I don't have all of it, but I have about $200 to my name. I'm willing to provide screenshots, bank statements, photographs, and evidence of everything I experienced, and have. My current job, that I managed to secure here in Georgia a couple weeks ago, (I've only been here in Georgia for 1 month or so), isn’t providing me with enough hours to cover my basic needs, (I wish they'd been transparent about the role being closer to 10/15 hours a week, and not full time like they advertised when they interviewed me, as well as spelled out in the offer letter which I'm also willing to provide), and I’m actively searching for more work to make ends meet. The manager at the Walgreens near by the room I'm renting, within walking distance (I have a Driver's License, but no vehicle currently, willing to take public transit anywhere I'm hired), said today that he may be able to get me into a nearby Walgreens, but his store is at capacity (fingers crossed an applying elsewhere vehemently). However, I am now faced with impossible choices—whether to save what little money I have for rent or to buy groceries. I refuse to do drugs, strip, or sell my body, although when I was about 14, I did once have sex for money with a much older African man who took advantage of me while I was homeless.

Prior to coming to Atlanta, I left Philadelphia (late November 2024) to care for my maternal grandmother, Betty Bechguenturian, who I believed needed my help. She said she couldn't handle her daily tasks anymore, and being that I'd helped her in the past, I jumped at her call. She promised housing and food, in exchange for the home-care. I don’t regret that decision, but the relationship quickly turned toxic. She treated me with hostility, used me for free labor, landscaping, etc, and called me a N-*-G-G-E-R! She yelled, and doesn't treat her friends there that way, or my white cousins who came in town for Thanksgiving. It was like I was her "whipping-boy", and I can't find an excuse for her behavior. The racial slur was where I drew the line. Eventually, depressed and heartbroken, I realized I couldn’t stay in that environment, but leaving meant severing ties with the only biological family that accepts or acknowledges my existence. When I reached out to my biological mother for help, upon arriving in Atlanta, she told me I wasn’t welcome back due to my relationship with her mother. My biological father is a heroin addict, and I don't know who else to turn to. That rejection was devastating, and for a time, I contemplated suicide.

Throughout my life, I’ve always tried to help others. I supported my ex during his incarceration, doing everything I could to help him rebuild his life, just to find out on top of the years of abuse, he was cheating as well. I cared for my grandmother when she needed me. Even when I’ve had so little, I’ve given what I could to others. But now, I find myself in a position where I need help. This is one of the hardest things for me to do—to ask for support—but I cannot keep going without it.

I’ve been fighting to keep my faith and my hope alive. I’m also a music artist, and my art has been a lifeline for me throughout these trials. I remain active in my craft, now more than ever, because I'm finally free from my ex who I somehow allowed to manipulate me out of my dreams. I'm again sharing my work online and continuing to create, despite the obstacles I’ve faced! I'm so blessed and optimistic y'all. If you’d like to check out my music, it’s a big part of who I am and my way of staying grounded, I'd be happy to share it with you or write a song of gratitude for you, it will be deep from my heart.

I’m asking for $3,000 to cover:

- Three months of rent ($750 per month)

- Groceries

- My phone bill (essential for job applications, interviews, and staying connected for safety reasons)

This support will provide me with the breathing room I need to secure stable, full-time work and keep myself safe. Most importantly, it will allow me to avoid returning to unsafe or unstable situations, which have already caused so much trauma in my life.

I’ve endured more than I ever thought I could, praise be to The Father God; but I know I’m meant for something greater. Your help—whether it’s through a donation or simply sharing this campaign—would mean the world to me. It’s not just financial support I’m asking for—it’s a lifeline of compassion and care that will allow me to keep fighting for my future!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for offering your support during this critical time. I’m deeply grateful for every bit of help, and I’m holding onto hope that better days are ahead.

With love and gratitude,

Milly Mango VIDEO UPDATE #1