Meet Amber. She has been my best friend for over 10 years. A few months ago she started a funding campaign when I need surgery on my leg. Now it’s my turn to help her.

Amber has seen her share of struggles in her life. Parts of it have been the consequences of her own choices. Other parts have been wrongs done to her. There was a pretty long stretch of time when stability was a fantasy for Amber and she struggled daily to survive. Several years ago, Amber asked me to promise to always put her daughter, Lily, first and make sure that she was ok at any cost, even if it ruined our friendship. Two and a half years ago, I made the gut-wrenching decision to contact Social Services and have Lily removed from Amber’s custody and placed with her father, Amber’s ex-husband. A couple of months later Lily moved with him to Ohio. While Amber had contact with Lily, she did not see her again until a two week vacation this past July. 

Amber has worked hard to establish a stable life for herself. She and I are roommates now and I am so blessed to see her thriving. I know Amber. I REALLY know her. I know when she is ok. I know when she’s not ok. I know when she’s on the edge of destruction even before she knows it. It is such a joy to me to be able to confidently say that I have no concern whatsoever about her stability or wellness or position in life. Those of you that know her have waited a long time to hear these words and I’m finally going to say them.

She’s ok now.

Just let that sink in for a minute. She’s ok now. In fact she’s more than ok. She’s fully alive and healthy and happy and confident and free and so incredibly amazing. Take a deep breath and let that sink in. Amber has made it out of the pit.

So, what is this need that she has now? Well, in a HUGE answer to prayer, she is regaining custody of Lily on the first of the year. She and Lily’s father agree that Colorado has the best resources for her emotional growth and development and that it is best for her to live here. This is a permanent change. No more moving back and forth or not having a home. Lily is gaining stability now too. (Can I please just be totally selfish for a minute here? I am so ridiculously ecstatic that I get to live here with Amber and Lily for this part of their story!)

One of the final phases in Amber’s path to stability is purchasing a vehicle. This will be necessary to be able to take Lily to therapy appointments in other cities, as well as other basic transportation needs. We have several other immediate expenses as we prepare for her to come home, so saving for a down payment isn’t really an option. I am asking mine and Amber’s friends and family to prayerfully consider donating towards the down payment for a vehicle. A larger down payment will mean lower, more manageable monthly payments for Amber that will be easier for her to budget. Whatever amount we are able to raise will go towards this vehicle purchase. Our primary goal is a decent downpayment, although if we are able to raise enough funds to purchase without financing, even better!