Hello, I am Mendi. This fundraiser is for myself and my daughter Bella. We recently left Florida with intentions to help our family. We are choosing to leave and live in our cars for our health, safety, and sanity as we make our way to Long Beach, California. We have nowhere to go here and are not willing to continue our time in the Midwest. I've been abused, abandoned, and misunderstood most of my life by my nuclear family. There is no right or wrong; we just operate in completely different ways. I am a Veteran. I am in recovery and by the grace of God haven't had a drink in 6 years and 8 months. I have PTSD and CMDD whether the people around me understand I need special, compassionate, loving care. I mean, should I really have to ask? I cannot stay here and remain sober or mentally well. Today is a liberation from all that has kept me from taking the best care of myself. Today, I choose me. Nobody's ever made me the priority. I'm doing it today and Bella is a brave, courageous girl who will only wither in such barren soil. Other things grow just fine here; we need different soil.

I've been very triggered and stuck in PTSD episodes because nothing around me feels safe. It probably isn't; it's not for me to judge. I've been grieving the loss of what will never be, but I am excited about finally being my own priority. We have 2,292 miles to cover with 2 girls, 2 cars, and animals and all the time in the world to get there. We have a cooler for food and enough for gas, we think.

I believe God wants you to be happy and I'm asking for help because it's easier than a suicide note right now. I don't want to drink or be hurt anymore. I'm letting go of everything here that has caused me harm and ask forgiveness for any harm thought done by me. Love. I deserve safe, happy, loving environments. I'm not finding it here, so it simply cannot continue.

I have been working on getting help from the Veterans Association here for 8 months and haven't received a disability rating yet. My PTSD has been amplified here which was not intended, nor anticipated. It is what it is. I can't continue my claim if I'm not here. So, eventually, I will get help from the Army, just don't have it yet.

The help we need is hotel rooms along the way. We have cushions to sleep in the Jeep at rest areas, but prefer not to. Help towards rent for a new place whenever we arrive at our new, healing life. There is no opportunity in this area; we came for family. We just need help for a soft landing, full belly along the way, peace of mind that the good in the world outdoes the evil...

I'd prefer not to have to leave everything and everyone behind, I just don't want to be hurt by the mindless behavior of others. Time for me to live for me. Bella and I are willing to live in our cars for our mental health and emotional safety, I just truly believe God won't make us. If you believe in the invisible, you can achieve the impossible.

Took me years to get to just being okay. I just want to be okay. Even if it means eating crackers and sleeping in a Jeep. I am grateful for that Jeep taking me to where I can thrive in an environment that is safe and nourishing to me.

Bella doesn't deserve this; she was trying to be a good family member. We don't resonate with them.

Sometimes, you have to jump and learn how to fly on the way down.

I appreciate you and any help.

I love you and there's nothing you can do about it...

Blessed be, Mendi.