Hi, my name is Tanya and for over 20 years Christina has been my best friend - through 8 international moves between us in that time. 10 years ago, Christina married a man we all thought was gentle, kind, and great with kids. What we didn't know was that image was more important to him than the closed door reality - especially during times of stress. After years of emotional abuse, a final incident led to a 911 call, an arrest, and a protective order. He is required to stay away from Christina and their son, and to have no contact with them for one year.

Christina is now rebuilding emotional safety for herself and her son. While there are great organizations providing support (including Hagar's Sisters, HAWC, food pantries, and her local church), there are still gaps. Christina would also love to stay on in the home they recently moved to (with two incomes) but needs time to try to make this work.

This GoFundMe covers:

Bills previously covered by her husband:

• Husbands contribution to the rent for the next three months, until long term plans can be made
• A modest contribution toward her son's school fees (everything else has been covered by an emergency scholarship from the school)
• Commuting costs until the end of the school year (husband was the driver, and now has the only car)
• Contribution toward utilities
• Contribution toward son's extra-curricular activities

Initial investments in future plans:

• Final driving test fee
• Final teacher licensing exam fee (for a particular certification)

I have also prepared two wishlists, in consultation with Christina, for anyone who wants to send care packages to them (especially with her son's birthday soon approaching):

Care Packages wishlist

Birthday Boy wishlist