It takes a community: Mya's legal custody fund.

Friends, this Go Fund Me has been created to help cover legal fees for Bree as she begins putting in place the protective steps to secure formal custodial rights for her daughter Mya, which to date has been done by informal agreement. This results from an ongoing series of unfortunate choices by her former partner, Bree has attempted to cooperatively co-parent, between separate households since 2017. Though it’s a parents' moral and legal obligation to protect their children from harm, sadly, the system is not set up to allow a parent with limited financial means to easily step into a more formalized custodial role to provide for Mya’s stabilized parenting and environment. We can unite as a community to support Mya’s care, well-being, and protection along with Bree.

These steps toward legal action have not been undertaken lightly. Thankfully, throughout Mya’s life, Bree has progressively deepened and sustained her practice of Buddhism and Recovery. This has equipped her to meet adversity, confusion, and unskillful choices with many different iterations of compassion, understanding, and flexibility.

These character strengths within Bree have led to attempting every possible means over many years to collaborate toward effective co-parenting. Sadly, despite these efforts and providing opportunities of healthy intention, combined with communication and action, the other parent has continued to struggle with the disease of addiction which has involved (amongst other concerns) driving Mya while impaired and other reckless behaviors that endanger Mya’s well-being.

Any amount that you are moved to share will go directly to legal services to take immediate action to rectify this situation and assure a plan for Mya's ongoing safety and well-being. Both Bree and Mya have regularly brought joy, growth, and connection to all those who are lucky enough to know them; now is the time to step up and demonstrate how much we are each invested in their health and safety. Together we can and will make a real change.