On September 30th, I was sitting in my living room when I suddenly heard an explosion and felt what I thought were pins and needles. Instead, it was glass. Someone had fired a modified airsoft gun with metal bullets through my window and thrown a chunk of asphalt through another. They shouted an expletive as they ran off, leaving behind broken glass, chaos — and a shaken sense of safety.

The glass flew nearly 20 feet across my living room. I was bleeding before I even realized what had happened. Weeks later, I’m still finding glass pieces in places I didn’t think possible. Even after cleaning, I can’t bring myself to sit on the couch again. This wasn’t the first time my windows were targeted, but it was the worst.

Despite everything, I’m staying focused on my goals. I’m currently enrolled in  school and working toward ultimately earning a Master’s in Public Policy. I’m also working from home — but right now, home no longer feels like a place I want to call home.

The funds raised will help me move somewhere safe. It will go towards a first month’s rent, last month’s rent, a security deposit, and moving expenses. There’s a local program meant to help with this, but due to the government shutdown, it may be months before I can access it.

I’m doing my best to stay strong, but I need help to take this next step toward safety and peace of mind. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps me move closer to that.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or donating — and for reminding me that courage doesn’t mean not being afraid; it means finding hope and moving forward anyway. ❤️