A Year Ago This Mom Of Two Bravely Left Her Abusive Husband But After Falling On Hard Times Her Neighbors Are Rallying To Help Her
Naperville, Illinois. Jen is a mom of two young boys, ages 5 and 2, living in Illinois who bravely left her abusive husband behind nearly a year ago.
“Last Thanksgiving I separated from my husband and my boys and I moved into the guest bedroom at my mom’s house,” Jen explained on a GoFundMe page.
“The marriage was physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially abusive. My help is limited and I have been struggling to pay simple bills.”
While in her marriage, her husband prevented her from doing anything outside of their house. For the last 5 years, Jen hasn’t been able to have any semblance of a social life because of that, which has been exceptionally isolating for her.
This summer, Jen got a job that she adored, though she had no choice but to give it up after one month since her mom could no longer help her out with her boys.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Jen with her boys
Sadly, Jen had to resign from the job she so loved. She has tried her hardest to find a new job but hasn’t been able to secure one.
“I tried childcare assistance through the state but even with the assistance I still could not afford the childcare and here I find myself in a Catch-22: I need to work but I need childcare, childcare cost money and I don’t have that,” she said.
“My attorney has been active this past year but every legal person I encounter says this is one of the more extreme cases they’ve handled and nothing has come of anything yet.”
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“The other night I felt overwhelmed with loneliness, hopelessness, and I wasn’t sure how I was ever going to make it out of this mess into brighter days for my boys with such limited help and resources so I made a post on NextDoor and neighbors flooded my inbox and feed with unbelievable amounts of love, support, and encouragement…just their words have filled my empty with hope!”
In light of the message Jen left on NextDoor, many of her neighbors have requested that she create a GoFundMe.
She admits that she’s quite embarrassed to do this, but her neighbors are insisting so they can rally around her.
Jen’s neighbors have also stepped in to help make sure her sons have clothing and toys, and some are even trying to help Jen find a good job.
“Thank you to all of my neighbors for coming forward with a listening ear, a helping hand, and encouragement,” Jen wrote. “I’m blown away by everyone’s support and I can’t wait to pay this forward one day.”
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe Jen created to help her and her boys out during their hard times, you can do that here.
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