Black Domestic Abuse Survivor Needs Funds

This is Moriah. In March of this year, she had to leave college and move back home to Texas due to the pandemic. Shortly after arriving home, her family situation turned physically, verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive. After a physical altercation with her violent stepfather, during which Moriah suffered a concussion and several contusions to the arms, legs, and back, she was kicked out of their childhood home, with only a couple thousand dollars’ worth of a college loan, and over $1,000 in medical bills from the inciting incident. She will need therapy to help her heal from the trauma of the incident, and a lifetime of abuse at the hands of her parents. After 2 months of couch-surfing and constantly moving around, Moriah found a subleased apartment she can stay at until September. After that, the original tenant’s lease expires, and Moriah must return to college. If Moriah doesn’t return to college, Moriah will once again be homeless, and this time, could end up on the streets. Without a job (although she is looking every day) during these hard times, and with so many medical bills and school expenses, Moriah is struggling to make ends meet, and is entirely at the mercy of virtual strangers. Her family blames Moriah for her stepfather and mother’s abuse, and has decided they want nothing more to do with Moriah. Moriah no longer has contact with her family. Not only was Moriah kicked out of her home with no warning, savings, or income, she also lost thousands of dollars when she was forced to unexpectedly move back to Texas because of Covid. Her school made the unfortunate decision not to refund its students for the money they spent on materials and resources they only got to use for half of the semester. Finally, Moriah’s mother will no longer co-sign for Moriah’s last college loan - leaving Moriah with no way to return for their final year. The school’s financial aid department has been less than helpful, and has told Moriah that Moriah will receive at most a few thousand more dollars in aid, leaving a $30,000 gap. Moriah is the most loving, dedicated, and kind friend, student, and partner to me. She is a bold, colorful, and moving artist, who deserves to not only survive, but to thrive. Moriah deserves to have a roof over her head and food to eat this summer, and to go back to school in the fall for her last year of college. If you’d like to view her work, check out this link: moriahsmith.myportfolio.com or on Instagram @moriahtheartist. Moriah also does commissions, and almost every piece on Instagram is for sale In this time of increased awareness and activism, please help this deserving person to live a stable, safe life. Because #blacklivesmatter, #blackqueerlivesmatter, and this life is meant for greater things. Goal: $30,000 for tuition, housing for the school year, and medical bills (CT scan, chest x-ray, therapy, concussion care, and homeopathic treatment) Anything helps. Please donate what you can. Thank you, Laura