Support Judy's Journey to Healing and Stability

Please help support our dear friend Judy, who is currently out of work due to post traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. Judy has worked for the VT Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline for 15 years. She had to stop working, rather abruptly, last June when she became saturated and overwhelmed by the constant daily trauma and had a mental breakdown. As medically advised, she stopped working immediately and is now trying to recover and heal so she can return to some form of employment.

Judy has worked with children, youth and families for over 35 years. She has NEVER not worked and leaving work was not planned, it happened because of her mental health and inability to function. Since then, she has been trying to rest and heal and figure out her future. In doing so, she has spent her meager life savings and is now struggling to make ends meet. Her present financial insecurity is adding enormous stress and anxiety, and it is contrary to her healing process. She is now at risk of losing her home and any sense of security she’s worked so hard to have in her life. Unfortunately, she does not have a family she can turn to for financial support.

It is hard to see loved ones suffer and struggle and it is all too common in the world today. It is the saddest thing to see someone who, once upon a time, cheered “Yippee Skippee” out to the world with all the small children in her life. Judy has had an immensely positive impact on the lives of numerous children and youth that she has worked with over the years, as well as those she has known personally and in the community. Judy has a beautiful, kind and generous heart. She is a sensitive soul that perhaps, stayed too long at a job that is so heart breaking.

Ironically, amazingly and against all odds, Judy pulled herself up and out of the life she was born into. She overcame early childhood trauma and abuse and was taken into State’s custody, where she experienced more trauma and abuse. She is a recovering alcoholic/addict who managed to get a master’s degree, though she barely attended high school. Yes, she is resilient and resourceful, but now fragile and broken. Judy is not Jewish, but she often refers to the term, Tikun Olam, which states the world needs to be repaired. It is broken into pieces and it’s everyone’s job to pick up the pieces and put them back together. It is a belief she adopted as a young adult and a value she has lived by. We want to see her be able to rest and heal and put herself back together.

We are looking for financial support to sustain her so she can stay in her home, pay her bills and take care of her basic living expenses. Being financially unstable for the first time in her adult life is causing additional anxiety and stress, including panic attacks, increased depression and loss of sleep. It is hindering her ability to continue to heal so she can return to a more stable and productive life. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance for your generosity. Please pass this message along.

Thank you,

Yvonne Baab and Ellen Selkowitz