fangirlmarena:

I just helped one of my best friends, Yvette, who I’ve talked about before start an indiegogo campaign to raise funds to get her and her children the hell out of Rhode Island and away from her abusive ex-husband. Here’s her story below:

Hi. I’m a single mother raising three beautiful and lively boys and taking care of our pets.  Unfortunately, my boys and I have suffered abuse, neglect and homelessness due to the actions of their father and my unsupportive family.  We are asking for you help to start fresh and finally begin to rebuild our lives.

I spent 20+ years with a man I once thought was the love of my life and the best thing to ever happen to me and with him I had three great boys for which I will always be grateful.  Looking back at it now, I should have seen the signs.  My ex-husband was constantly manipulative and emotionally abusive and frequently put me down because of my hair, my weight, and my inability to work after I broke my pelvis giving birth to our youngest son among other things. Finally, a few years ago, it came out that he had been cheating on me for years and that many of our mutual friends had known about it.  I was devastated, but I tried to make our marriage work because of our boys. During this time my ex became more and more abusive toward me frequently screaming at me and wrecking things in the house.  This culiminated with him strangling me in our bedroom and being arrested. I had to take a restraining order out on him and, eventually, so did my oldest son after my ex, his father, threatened to assault him.  At this point I realized that it was time to get out of this marriage because I was scared for myself but, more importantly, I was terrified for my children.

After escaping and while waiting for the divorce, my ex fought me tooth and nail on every point, including pressuring me to drop the restraining order and trying to prevent me from moving out of state, while never making any substantial contact with the boys and, when he did, verbally abusing them to the point that they no longer want anything to do with him.  After our separation, the boys and I had nothing.  We were evicted, our pets were taken away, and we lived in a campground for six weeks.  But, I fought my way out of the campground and began to build a new life for us all. Unfortunately, after all is said and done, my ex does have visitation rights.  But, my boys and I can finally leave Rhode Island and move to Illinois.

This is where you come in.

I have exactly $125 to my name right now that will go toward feeding and clothing my children for the remainder of the time that I’m in Rhode Island.  But, other than that we have nothing and are starting completely from scratch.

We need:

• $300 for gas and a few tolls
• $270.00 for car insurance and registration
• $380.00 for the first month of utilities
• $350.00 for used furniture
• $200 for storage costs

Any extra money raised will be used toward rent and furnishings.

In Illinois we have a home, employment, a great school system and supportive friends wiaiting for us and ready to help us rebuild our lives.  And, this isn’t just about us.  My story is the story of millions of women in this country.  Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. Up to 10 million children witness domestic violence every year, and children that witness abuse are twice as likely to become abusers than those who have not.   Everday women stay trapped in abusive marriages because they are terrified to leave, because of their children, because of love, because they will end up homeless and with nothing.  I made the decision to escape not only for myself but for my three boys who were being hurt.  It has been difficult, but it is the best decision I have ever made, and you can help us with that.

We know that everyone can’t contribute money, but that doesn’t mean that we can use your help in other ways. Please spread the word about this campaign anywhere and everywhere you can and, while your at it, raise awareness about the women and children in this country who need help and support to survive abuse.

Thank you!

PLEASE donate if you can. Every little bit helps. Even if you can’t donate, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE reblog this and boost the signal. It only takes a minute and could help my friend and her boys get back on her feet. Thank you.

(Source: trollny-stark)