I am so Lost....
I fled a DV marriage. Filed for divorce and proceeded to go through a nightmare for 6 years to free myself and three children. I did EVERYTHING the courts and lawyers told me to do. Well educated and determined, worked and worked to support my children. My exhusband STILL ruined us financially, took everything away... Suffering from Crohn's disease for 26 years, the stress through me into a horrific relapse We became homeless and on TANF/Food stamps. Determined and stubborn, I fought for the sake of my children... I worked and rose up out of the system in 6 months. Managed to gain footing. Then suddenly laid off from work February 2011... forced to move again. Ex-husband $80K in arrears...
DCSS, yes overworked and understaffed, my case just another in a long list of needy families. Their assistance could have put me on the other side, able to help others instead of needing it...
My story is long and detailed, can be privately told... But I face TODAY, an ugly battle for custody of my 3 children (to protect them from neglect). I have exhasuted all of my resources and now unable to pay rent. I will be evcited if I do not pay $4000 today (rent + fees). My ex-husband took me to court a year ago, when I was homeless, for full custody of our children... Stating I was financially irresponsible and mentally unstable. I brought proof that my situation was the DIRECT RESULT of his refusal to adhere to court orders... and had he paid the $50K of arrearages (at that point), we would NOT be here.... The court would not hear (ironically) the financial part because (finally after 6 months) DCSS opened my case. We fell between the cracks of the system, like SO many others. I did not lose my children due to the hard work I put in researching case law and presenting the facts... However, there IS a provision that if I lose my home at any time, custody automatically goes to my ex-husband... The person who has worked so hard to put us here. Unfathomable.
I have been/am working with EVERY group possible to change our lives. My credit is destroyed, I am overqualified and unable to secure employment. I have a viable business plan, but cannot get obtain a micro-loan. There are no programs that can help with financial assistance in my particular situation.... I have researched and researched and researched.... Is there any program, any person, any help for my situation? I did EVERYTHING right to make sure that I would never be here, again in this state... to no avail. I never thought I would ever feel defeated... I am stupefied by the lack of justice.
I am not looking for a handout, nor do I believe that we are more entitled than anyone else in need. This is an issue much larger than just my family and I fully intend to do something about it on a large scale. I want to prevent this from continuing or happening to others... Right now, this very moment... I am desperate for help, a miracle... I am out of answers, out of resources.
Is there ANYONE out there who can help or advise me?... Please?
