Support Stevie & Quinn's Journey to Stability and Safety!

I am a single mother of a 2 year old amazing son, Quinn, and we are on the verge of being unhoused. I also have a brilliant 10yo son, Sawyer, who resides with his father. My hope is to be able to work a full-time job where I can help others, to unite with Sawyer, and to be able to afford a safe home for my children.

I endured a long period of horrific violence from an abusive partner. He nearly killed me. I was left with severe medical injuries and PTSD. I involved the legal system and he was arrested. With the support of amazing friends and incredible social services such as Peaceful Paths domestic violence shelter, CARE The center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies Inc, I started getting back on my feet. I was engaging in regular therapy and using the services available to help rebuild. I began reunifying with Sawyer. However, last year, I had to flee my home in Gainesville due to being unsafe once my abuser was released from jail - he threatened my life and the life of my baby. Despite a legal injunction and probation, my abuser has been willing to constantly violate boundaries to terrorize my family and I. He has continued to contact me, making empty promises and violent threats. The process to violate him to probation was slow with hurdles but he is back in jail.

Although I was able to maintain working a professional office job and keep my son in a loving daycare environment for a while, PTSD symptoms resurfaced and my workplace could not adequately accommodate my disability requests. I have been unemployed for several months. This caused me to lose childcare. I have worked odd jobs while juggling my son, and I have gratefully received some assistance from social services. As many of us know, even with the generosity of others, and the gifts of social services, it is extremely difficult to make ends meet. These wells have run dry. My child and I desperately need assistance to reach our next step. I am being evicted from my current apartment due to lack of funds.

I am a hard worker. I am excited to get back to work and to have my son in a structured daycare where he can learn and interact with other toddlers. I grew up in an environment with domestic violence and moved a lot, attending 10 different elementary schools. I am trying extremely hard to not repeat this life for my sons. I visit with a therapist and psychiatrist regularly. I am also incredibly fortunate to have discovered an uplifting church community. I have a loving circle of support around me but they are in Gainesville and not able to help with childcare so I may go on job interviews. This financial assistance would allow me to pay for childcare so I can focus on reemployment, and assist with safe housing. For transparency, I am disclosing my bills and costs that I am hoping to cover:

Back payment for daycare: $210

Moving expenses (Uhaul rental/ Storage Unit): $300

First, last and security for apartment (affordable housing complex): $3500

1 year of Mint mobile cell phone service to ensure this bill is never cut off: $275

Utility deposit: $200

New daycare administration: $500

Car Insurance:$175

Gas: $100

As I have explored my childhood and relationship history to try and understand the complexity of my life and feelings, I have seen a pattern: When I was harmed as a child, no one listened. When I deserved to feel safe, the adults in my life were either harmful, absent, or neglectful because of their own lack of safety. I have angels in my life, too. A family that took me in in high school and friends that have loved me and believed in me. Most importantly, God redirected me when I felt lost. I refuse to repeat this generational trauma for my children. I am fighting to provide them as much safety and care as I can. I refuse to accept a life of abuse for myself and my family. I am eager for this new start and will be honored to pay forward any kindness I receive.

This is my truth. I hope someone reading this will learn from the mistakes I have made and know when to walk away. Abusive relationships never get better. They only get worse. It's hard for all of us to ask for help. I don't consider myself a victim anymore. I'm a survivor. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Love,

Stevie