Safe Housing for Mom & 5-Year-Old After Domestic Violence

Help Us Move from Crisis to Safety

Two years ago, my 5-year-old son and I escaped a dangerous domestic violence situation. After being homeless on and off for nearly a year, we found temporary shelter in a travel trailer. What started as emergency housing has become a deteriorating crisis threatening our health, safety, and future.

Our Current Emergency:

We're living in conditions no one should have to endure; let alone a child:

• Multiple roof leaks requiring constant tarps during rain
• No running water after pipes burst - we bathe with water from a hose using a giant bucket
• No sewer connections - using portable camping toilet and traveling to rest stops to dump (if I have the gas)
• Black mold growing despite constant cleaning efforts and attempts to remove it
• Two flat, unfixable tires making our trailer immovable
• Broken window next to bed creating a breeze during the night and easier access for someone to break in
• Fruit flies that I cannot seem to get rid of despite having fruit fly traps and keeping food stored properly (fruit kept in refrigerator) 

The Urgent Deadline:

I have a custody trial at the end of next month where I'll represent myself against my abuser (my son's father) who has an attorney to represent him. I'm terrified the judge will deem me as being unfit due to our living conditions and award my son's father (my abuser) custody despite all the PTSD he caused for my son and I both and the progress my son has made emotionally, with improving his behavior and learning to cope without using anger to justify his actions. This summer, when I allowed my son to visit his father, he tried to keep him from coming home to me and refused to pay for my flight to go pick up our son as promised. So I had no choice but to turn to my grandmother for money to help pay for my plane ticket to his father's house, as well as our plane tickets home. She used every last dollar in her savings and is now filing bankruptcy because of my son's father refusing to follow through with what he promised. I missed an entire week of work which really hurt us financially. I am still trying to play catch up since this happened. 

The Crisis Spiral

• Job at Risk: My merchandising job requires driving store-to-store, but my car is overheating with coolant in the engine
• Isolation: Can't visit my 78-year-old grandmother who lives alone and recently had risky spinal surgery
• Basic Dignity: Can't afford laundromat ($13.50/load), so I wash clothes in buckets that get dirty from lumber company dust
• Food Insecurity: Despite community resources, I struggle to consistently feed my son

What Your Donation Provides: (Our $15,000 Goal Breakdown)

• $8,000 - First month's rent, security deposit, moving costs for 2-bedroom apartment
• $3,000 - Critical car repairs to maintain employment
• $2,000 - Basic furniture and household essentials
• $1,000 - Utility deposits and connection fees
• $1,000 - Emergency legal/court costs buffer

Why This Matters Now:

My son deserves a childhood with real baths, mold-free sleep, and friends who can visit without shame. I'm working hard, but I can't seem to dig us out of this crisis alone.

With your help, we can:

• Secure safe housing that protects my custody rights
• Maintain employment with reliable transportation
• Provide my son the foundation every child deserves
• Care for my elderly grandmother who needs family support

Our Promise:

Every dollar goes directly toward stability for my son and me. I'll provide regular updates showing exactly how your donations create change. We've survived the worst - we just need help taking the next step toward a real future.

Thank you for believing in us and giving my son a chance at the safe childhood he deserves.