i was encouraged by many to create this go fund me. I really did not want to. Vulnerability is important in survival. Vulnerability conquers shame. However, this exhibition of vulnerability was very hard for me to transmit to you all. Not only because it’s a tough subject, but because money is involved.

I did NOT use AI to write this.

Some of you may already know what happened to our family in 2022. My best friend lost her first and only child, Liam lost a little brother, and I nearly lost my life. Losing a loved one; losing a child to gun violence, devastated my ability to be a lot of things my son needed me to be for the next two years that would follow. I survived near death in the ICU in the summer of 2024. My son has been strong and understanding, and an overall happy child. He doesn't feel like we don't already have enough of anything (except for fast food of course, he wants more of that), but he is never worried about our situation. That is how it should be. I bear the weight of keeping it that way. We are as close as a mother and son could be. We are each other’s heroes and pals! I had him before my brain was fully developed, so we kinda grew up together! When I told him that, he thought it was neat.

What he really needs is a room of his own. We desperately need an upgrade to a 3-bedroom townhome in the same neighborhood in which we currently stay. Right now, he sleeps in the living room with a divider for privacy.

I have a job. It doesn't pay well, and I fear I lack the child support to be able to hold another. My kid's father doesn't pay child support; we are still trying to serve him papers. I was supposed to be on disability for the entirety of this past year. I have a permanent, if not terminal, disease, so the team at UofM told me I should be on it until I return to good health, but I was denied.

I got healthy, I became a sponsor/peer support for addicts in the community. I also help victims of abuse as carefully and gracefully as I can. I am fit to work; I've been ready to work for months, but my doctors and therapist disagree. They are all too familiar with my tendency to let my health go to keep a job and others happy and secure. However, I’d like to have a job to keep me out of trouble! So I started school, then dropped out to take a break. I had to. I became impatient and needed to make money. So I got one job. Not enough hours. Now I’ve applied to 2 more.

I really did not want to start a GoFundMe. Yes, I've asked family. They've done plenty to help in smaller ways. They are either not willing or able to help with something like a security deposit and extra moving expenses. I don’t want to owe anyone money anymore.

So please, do what you can for your community, free of charge as I do. And give as much as you feel comfortable towards this; for my son to have his own room by the time he turns 11. A fresh start for Christmas or the New Year.

It would change our lives in a way some of you would understand if you're my age and you know me. Some of you more fortunate who just want to help some kid you barely know probably can’t imagine how much it would mean. Either way, anything helps.

Love,

Jess & Liam