I never imagined I would be here — writing something like this and asking strangers for help. But when life unravels all at once, pride becomes a luxury you simply cannot afford.

Over the past year, my life has collapsed in ways I never thought possible.

The company I worked for suddenly declared bankruptcy, and with it my job disappeared overnight. What I thought was a stable future turned into unemployment, uncertainty, and mounting bills that I could no longer keep up with. I searched relentlessly for work, trying to hold everything together, but while I was fighting to stay afloat financially, my personal life was quietly falling apart too.

I discovered that my husband had been living a double life — a year and a half affair that shattered the foundation of our marriage and the home I thought was safe. The betrayal alone was devastating, but it also forced me to face a painful reality: the relationship had long been filled with emotional trauma, abuse, and fear that I had tried for years to survive and rationalize.

Leaving was not just about heartbreak. It was about survival.

As a survivor of sexual assault and domestic abuse, the past year has pushed my mental health into a place of crisis that I am still trying to recover from. Trauma does not simply disappear when you decide to be strong. It lingers. It shows up in sleepless nights, panic attacks, and the constant fear of losing everything you’ve worked so hard to protect.

And now, I am facing something even more terrifying: the possibility of losing our home.

With my job gone and the financial strain of separating from my husband, I have fallen behind on rent and am now facing eviction. The reality of not knowing where my daughter, my dog, and I will sleep has been one of the most painful experiences of my life.

My daughter deserves stability. She deserves a home where she feels safe, where she can laugh freely without sensing the fear and stress that have surrounded us for far too long. My dog has been a quiet source of comfort through nights when I thought I might break completely.

Right now, I am simply trying to hold on long enough to start over.

The funds raised will go directly toward:

• Paying overdue rent to prevent eviction

• Securing safe housing for my daughter and I

• Basic necessities while I rebuild financial stability

• Transportation and relocation costs so we can leave behind an environment tied to trauma

• Mental health support as I continue working to heal and become the strong mother my daughter needs

This is not easy to write. Asking for help is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. But I believe that sometimes the kindness of strangers can become the bridge between survival and a new beginning.

I am not asking for a perfect life. I am simply asking for the chance to rebuild one.

A safe place for my daughter to sleep.

A fresh start after years of trauma.

A small window of hope in a moment that feels impossibly dark.

If you are able to help in any way whether through a donation or simply sharing this story — please know that it means more than words can express.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read this and for believing that second chances are possible.

With gratitude and hope,

A mother trying to start again.