Hello! My name is Joanna Cooper. I am a single mother to the most amazing 11year old, Damian. Up until April of last year, I had always been a hard working individual that supported her family, with little to no help from anyone else. I worked in the logistic industry driving forklifts, reach trucks, etc. This was a job that I truly enjoyed and was proud of because I was the first and only female to work in our warehouse. It was a big accomplishment that I was proud of. I never had to worry if rent would be paid, when a bill were do, if we would eat, or if I had to tell my son no when he asked for something. I ended up having to leave my job due to the lack of child care for Damian, because his school shut down. For a while I received unemployment, but once my funds were exhausted, I applied for the 13 week extension that was passed with the C.A.R.E.S Act. I was denied, because somehow they came up with the conclusion that I "left my job on my own free will for personal reasons." Not too long after this my oldest brother offered my family to move to Texas so that we could work for him and get back on our feet. I left everything behind including the job that I not only loved, but I was making around $22 an hour. This ended up being a mistake. We returned back to Tennessee without any of our belongings and were homeless. Our car was the only place we had to sleep. I thought that things couldn't be any worse, the control arm on my car snapped. With all the stress, especially not having a car to work, my ex-husband and I were always on edge and he would take it out on me. This eventually went from arguing and name calling to being choked and punched. I ended up in the hospital after he took my car with my son and I in it. He beat me while driving down the highway with my son in the backseat. Threatening to run my car into a semi-truck to kill all three of us. While in the hospital my car was taken by my ex and totaled from him having a seizure, but worst of all I lost custody of my son temporarily because he was terrified. My world crumbled at my feet and the same day I was released from the hospital, I sat in a field and attempted to take my own life by slitting my wrists with a box cutter. This past year has been the worst year of the 32 years on this earth. I had never lost my faith up until then. Now I have slowly got back on my feet, but still have a long road ahead of me. I work 40 hours a week, 3rd shift at McDonald's. We don't have a place to exactly call home for my son and I, but we are blessed enough to have my bestfriend who is allowing us to stay with her until I can get our own home. I am asking for help in order to put a down payment on a car, so I can go get a better paying job. It would allow me to make more income and move into our own home quicker. Also to give Damian a Christmas this year, He hasn't had a birthday in two year and Christmas was just another day for him last year. It wouldn't be the one he deserves, because through all this my son has kept his head held high and a smile on not only his face but mine as well. I wish I could give him the world and one day I will, but I'm beyond blessed to have a child who is very understanding, also caring and has a heart of gold. Instead of getting upset and mad about missing days that are meant to be happy, especially for a kid his age, he puts his own feelings aside to comfort me and let me know I'm appreciated. He lets me know how strong I am and the best mom even on the days I feel like I failed him. He don't care about material things, I stead of blowing his money on games, electronics, phones, etc. He'd in his pocket and give the money he's been saving to me, just to see me smile and not be stressed out.  This would be the blessing. I would rather walk every day to work like I do, as long as I can see Damian happy. If you can donate, God bless you. You are truly appreciated. Even if you can't donate, which I completely understand times are rough for most of us, please share this so we can meet our goal. We need to give us the big push to move forward. Thank you so much from both of us.