Help the Schwinn's begin again.

What happened?

Many people have told Jessica Schwinn to let them know if she needs anything for her family. But what if the needs are so abundant it's hard to know what to ask for? She and her family have had their lives upended by a severe mental health crisis. It began after her husband stopped his meds. Once they were out of his system, he moved on to unfavorable coping mechanisms. The intoxicating effect on his brain caused a state of psychosis to overtake him. Because of this, she and the children were displaced for almost a month, only recently returning to the home. A month of numerous 911 calls and police reports. An attempt to get him hospitalized with a mental health warrant was made. The doctor that accessed him couldn't have spent even 30min with him. Once released, he went on to destroy their home in a rage. He harassed and intimidated people, even physically restrained someone while in this state of psychosis. He became unrecognizable to those who love him. Regardless, his family is left to mourn his absence as they struggle through the disruption he brought into their lives.

About Mama Jess

If you've had the privilege of meeting Jessica, you know her radiance extends into her community. Recently she gained ownership of a dance studio in Spring. Not too long ago, she held her first Ecstatic Dance event since covid hit at her new place of business. She has crafted gatherings for Mothers to have a space of reprieve and receive soulful validation of their experience. She has held Moon Dances and Sabbat Celebrations to uplift the spirits of those she loves. She has supported women in birth *I'm one of them!*, postpartum *Again! She was there*, on into motherhood *I'm sure you get it by now*.

The role that takes the most precedent is her role as a mother. This past month she's had to make choices of the most gut-wrenching sort to protect them from the brunt of the damage wrought. It's still hard for them. That makes it harder on her when everything else is hard already.

Setting our goal so high was my choice. I chose this amount for reasons I will list below. With each listed point, I ask that you remember Jessica navigates ALL OF THIS as the demands of three children have shifted solely onto her.

1.) She is starting from scratch financially after having the joint bank account drained by her spouse. Unfortunately, the money is nowhere to be found. This bank account is the one bills are paid through.

2.) She began running a business only months before her family's lives were upended. She is in the process of bringing the Dance Studio up to her vision of it while enhancing profitability. It is the first business she has ever run out of a commercially leased space. If you don't already know, IT'S EXPENSIVE!

3.) Since returning to work, she has had three primary support people help make it possible:

A partner who provided consistent support throughout the day.

A nanny to help with the children at home.

An Employee to run the day-to-day tasks of the Studio. It allowed her to be more present at home.

She lost the support person she was able to lean on most readily. Not just that, she lost the income he contributed to the household as well.

4.) Considering #3, we come to how her income doesn't float her household alone. Two of the primary support people that make her job possible do so for their livelihoods.

5.) Her three children Wyatt (age 8), Hayze (age 3), and Alice (almost 2!), have had huge adjustments. They have required more of her attention now that they are one parent down. As her nanny, I know that she would benefit from more help around the house (and some downtime). Also, kids are expensive!

I can't think of someone more deserving of the help. Jessica is a kind soul who believes in people.... even when they don't. She supported the man she loved through his battle with mental health. He did so well for so long. I credit so much of that to her level of compassion surrounding mental health struggles. That compassion stems from her childhood. However, because of her childhood, she can't take the risk that comes with a partner not taking their mental health needs seriously. Especially not when the result is reckless abandon leaving her and the children's lives in the wreckage.