My name is Earth. I don't really know who I am yet. For most of my life, I lived in situations where fear, control, and the need for constant approval felt normal. After leaving my family, I entered another unhealthy relationship that left me isolated and financially dependent. Walking away meant starting over with very little, but it also meant choosing my own future.

I was raised by an abusive father, and my mother kept him in the house because she believed he was "disciplining" me. My mom and I were close for a long time, but things changed. In my mid-twenties, I said something in a tone she didn't like, and she told me she wanted to "pull my hair and drag me across the floor." I'm now in my late twenties. After I moved away on January 1st and didn't tell her where I was living, she stopped speaking to me.

Not long after that, I met a man who told me I was attractive and that he was going to help me become rich and famous. We started a relationship, but he insisted it stay private. Over time I became isolated and financially dependent on him.

One night I went for a walk, and he got angry. When I came home, I told him the door wouldn't open no matter how many times I turned the key. He yelled at me instead of helping. Eventually he opened the door, and suddenly the key worked. The next day, I moved out.

Since then, I've been rebuilding my life. I became a substitute teacher, and I'm proud of that. The hard part is that substitute teaching doesn't provide work over the summer. I won't be back until late August or early September.

Right now I need help covering my rent. I need $1,480 by July 24, and then rent is due again on August 1. I have no friends to help and I'm currently receiving constant rejection letters from non substitute teacher related jobs.

I'm asking for help because I don't want to become financially dependent on people who have hurt me again. I'm trying to keep the independence I've worked so hard for and make it to the start of the school year.

If you're able to donate or even share this fundraiser, I'd be incredibly grateful.

Thank you for reading my story.