Jessica Corbett Legal Fund
Donation protected
Asking for help is difficult. However, I have reached the point where I need more help than my friends and family are able to provide.
Many have encouraged me to do this for a while, but I have resisted. Many of you heard parts of my story when my ex-husband, David Sorensen, was forced to resign from the White House after the WashingtonPost wrote an article describing just a few of the ways I was abused by him during our marriage.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/second-white-house-official-departs-amids-abuse-allegations-which-he-denies/2018/02/09/72ba47e6-0d0d-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html?utm_term=.dd622ea53df2
Nothing prepared me for the consequences that speaking up would have. A few months after the post story broke, I was sued by my abusive ex-husband for 4 million dollars. Initially, I tried to finance my defense myself, but the legal fees have been staggering. I wad told it would cost 6 figures to continue through the trial and defend myself.
Making the decision to speak up has cost me everything:
My happily ever after to a man I was in love with.
My car.
My beloved dog Frank.
My ability to find gainful employment.
My freedom to move through this world as I had always had.
It left me broke and nearly homeless.
At one point, I ran 3 miles each way in freezing or snowy weather to clean friends houses or flip air b&bs, just to make ends meet. All while legal bills continually piled up, all while I had to silently ignore the smears and lies still being perpetuated about me on the internet. Every step I ran, I reminded myself that God had brought me this far and I couldn’t give up now. I didn't complain because the life I know now is still better than the one I left.
So, I'm asking for your help... to help me pay for my defense in the defamation suit brought by my ex-husband, for basic living expenses while I defend myself and rebuild my life.
If this fundraiser is successful and there are proceeds left, they will be donated to The Root Cellar in Portland, Maine as well as other organizations which help victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives. The Root Cellar is a non profit community center in my neighborhood where I volunteer. We serve mostly the immigrant population, but anyone in our neighborhood with a need is welcome. We are an after school program, a dental clinic, a food pantry, household item and clothing donation store, we help with immigration forms, have English classes, and the mission is to simply love our neighbors, unconditionally.
I volunteer in the office weekly and help organize 3 annual events, including the Christmas Store- which is where we distribute coats, boots and gifts to families in need. This place has been my family and stood by me during the worst days of my life. On my first day volunteering, a woman walked in and told me her story... I was able to provide food, toiletries and a hug to a woman who needed help because she had left an abusive relationship and was living out of her car on a friends sofa. It is experiences like this that have put my own problems into perspective and made me grateful for all I have.
It's hard to ask for help when I see so many others with so many needs, however- I have to remind myself that I am one of those people now too.
Your generosity is appreciated. Your prayers are always welcome and coveted.
Best,
Jessica
Many have encouraged me to do this for a while, but I have resisted. Many of you heard parts of my story when my ex-husband, David Sorensen, was forced to resign from the White House after the WashingtonPost wrote an article describing just a few of the ways I was abused by him during our marriage.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/second-white-house-official-departs-amids-abuse-allegations-which-he-denies/2018/02/09/72ba47e6-0d0d-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html?utm_term=.dd622ea53df2
Nothing prepared me for the consequences that speaking up would have. A few months after the post story broke, I was sued by my abusive ex-husband for 4 million dollars. Initially, I tried to finance my defense myself, but the legal fees have been staggering. I wad told it would cost 6 figures to continue through the trial and defend myself.
Making the decision to speak up has cost me everything:
My happily ever after to a man I was in love with.
My car.
My beloved dog Frank.
My ability to find gainful employment.
My freedom to move through this world as I had always had.
It left me broke and nearly homeless.
At one point, I ran 3 miles each way in freezing or snowy weather to clean friends houses or flip air b&bs, just to make ends meet. All while legal bills continually piled up, all while I had to silently ignore the smears and lies still being perpetuated about me on the internet. Every step I ran, I reminded myself that God had brought me this far and I couldn’t give up now. I didn't complain because the life I know now is still better than the one I left.
So, I'm asking for your help... to help me pay for my defense in the defamation suit brought by my ex-husband, for basic living expenses while I defend myself and rebuild my life.
If this fundraiser is successful and there are proceeds left, they will be donated to The Root Cellar in Portland, Maine as well as other organizations which help victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives. The Root Cellar is a non profit community center in my neighborhood where I volunteer. We serve mostly the immigrant population, but anyone in our neighborhood with a need is welcome. We are an after school program, a dental clinic, a food pantry, household item and clothing donation store, we help with immigration forms, have English classes, and the mission is to simply love our neighbors, unconditionally.
I volunteer in the office weekly and help organize 3 annual events, including the Christmas Store- which is where we distribute coats, boots and gifts to families in need. This place has been my family and stood by me during the worst days of my life. On my first day volunteering, a woman walked in and told me her story... I was able to provide food, toiletries and a hug to a woman who needed help because she had left an abusive relationship and was living out of her car on a friends sofa. It is experiences like this that have put my own problems into perspective and made me grateful for all I have.
It's hard to ask for help when I see so many others with so many needs, however- I have to remind myself that I am one of those people now too.
Your generosity is appreciated. Your prayers are always welcome and coveted.
Best,
Jessica
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Corbett
Organizer
Portland, ME
Mary Snipes
Beneficiary
