My name is Debra Fischer, and I am a single mother to my son, Creed, who will be four years old next month. I am writing this today with a heavy heart and a great deal of humility, asking for urgent help to keep a roof over my son's head. We are facing eviction after a series of events tied to an abusive home situation made our lives spiral out of control. My son has already been through so much, and I will do everything in my power to protect him from losing the last stable thing he has: his home.

Escaping a dangerous situation

For the first two years of Creed’s life, I did everything I could to protect him from his abusive and alcoholic father. Two years ago, we finally escaped what I thought was a permanent threat when he moved out of state. However, that sense of safety was shattered this February when he returned to Virginia and began a campaign of violent, aggressive, and threatening behavior.

In May, I was forced to obtain a protective order for Creed and myself. The immense stress and danger of this situation led to me losing my job of 20 years and my son's childcare, leaving us with no income. I have exhausted my savings and am now fighting for every resource to stay afloat. While some friends and my only family member have helped, I have reached the point where I can no longer carry this alone.

The toll on my son's mental health

The emotional trauma of these events has taken a severe toll on my son. He has been evaluated and is now considered a threat to himself, at just four years old. He has to remain in my full-time care and must be medically cleared before he can return to school or childcare. His mental health is my top priority, and therapy three times a week is now a crucial part of his life.

This situation prevents me from returning to work full-time, and while I am constantly applying for remote positions, the financial burden has become overwhelming. I did receive the lowest amount of state help and was denied for unemployment, leaving us with very few options.

What the funds will cover

I am going to court to fight the eviction, but I need immediate support to make up for the payments we have missed while I navigated this crisis. Every dollar will go directly toward:

Preventing our eviction and securing our home.

Ensuring Creed receives consistent therapy while he recovers.

Covering legal fees for our ongoing court hearings against his father.

A plea from a weary mother

For 20 years, I was a hard worker who never asked for help. The weight of not being able to provide and protect my son has been detrimental to my own mental health. We are fighting hard, and I am reaching out to every available program, including Norfolk Eviction, but I am simply running out of time.

I can't pick up all the pieces alone anymore. My son and I need help. Please, if you can, consider donating or sharing our story. Losing our home would be another painful, unjust setback for my son, and I am desperate to spare him from that. And for the very few who have helped along the way WE LOVE YOU.

Thank you for any support you can offer. It means the world to us.

— Debra Fischer