Help Support the Destiny Fund

Destiny Came Into Our Lives…

In the Spring of 2014 I went down to Florida to say goodbye to my fiancé’s mother who was dying of cancer. In came a distant relative, a six-year-old girl, Destiny, that I was immediately drawn to. She was dirty and malnourished. Her hair was chopped up and pink.  Her clothes smelled of smoke, had cigarette burns, and hadn't been washed.  Her shoes were two sizes too small.  Her toenails hadn’t been cut in months and were curling over her toes.  It was evident that Destiny had been neglected for quite some time.  I soon learned that both of her parents were terrible Methamphetamine addicts and were in and out of prison her entire life.  

 She was soon handed over to the police and then placed in the care of her grandmother- who then, after 5 days of knowing me- sent her to New York with us for the "summer." Then, she asked us to enroll her in school here in New York because she was “too tired” to care for her.  Destiny’s parents had been arrested on separate charges.  Destiny began first grade here in Long Beach.  She had been left back a year in Florida due to missing over ninety days of Kindergarten.

For the last two years, Destiny has been in New York with us. She has achieved and maintained straight A's, acclimated socially, participates in extracurricular activities and has become a regular kid- like every child deserves to be.

In October 2012 we lost everything in Hurricane Sandy, including my job. We are living on one income.  I have been trying desperately to find employment, but have been faced with challenges as a result of bringing Destiny into our lives.  The costs of child care vs. the salary I would earn cancel each other out... These numbers force me to be a stay at home mom at 48 years old.  

In the recent months we have decided to go for Full Custody of Destiny and have been met with some oppososition.  This case has cost us nearly everything we have, our savings, checking, and some valuables.  I have sold many of our possesions in order to retain our attorney and keep fighting to have Destiny remain in our custody.

We are in such a financial crisis. I have been to Department of Social Services- they basically told me that it was not New York State’s responsibility that I chose to bring a child back from Florida.  They will not be awarding us any emergency assistance. 

We need help... Every single week I am taking Destiny to court appointments, psychologist appointments, and other various appointments pertaining to the custody hearing which are also hindering my ability to land suitable employment.  

We are asking for monetary donations in order to maintain the legal fees associated with Destiny’s Custody Hearing and some of our current housing expenses. Any help would be greatly appreciated and no donation is too small... Thank you!! There is a court date on February 27th.  We hope this will be over soon and decided in our favor.