Help Break My Fall…

Myself and my three siblings were adopted from Colombia. Not long after adopting us my adoptive parents realized that they did not really want children after all.  They tried to send us back, but the were told that they had to keep us.  Enraged, they began to abuse us physically, emotionally and sexually. My adoptive father became a violent alcoholic.   My brother went to prison, twice. My youngest sister ran away at thirteen. My eldest sister became involved in prostitution.  She now is a single mom with two children, one of which she had to give up for adoption because she was struggling to support me. To relieve the burden on her, I had to drop out of highschool to feed myself. I ran away when I was sixteen years old and have dutifully worked whatever job would have me ever since. Needless to say my financial situation in this new economy is terrifying.

Recently I went to apply for a job and was told by immigration that I was supposed to be carrying a green card. In an act of spite our parents told us that we were United States citizens.  This was never true. They never actually completed our paperwork, and I found out the hard way when I went to apply for a job. Immigration told me that I was technically not eligible for work. Six months passed before they told me that they could only issue me a temporary card and that I would still have to apply for a new one or risk arrest or deportation. I have to hire a lawyer to prove I have the right to be here, even though I have been here since I was a baby. In the interim I had to sell nearly everything I own just to be able to survive. I have moved to a dangerous neighborhood where I am afraid to go out at night. I have been able to get some odd jobs, but they are never enough to cover everything. I don't qualify for most aid programs because of my citizenship status.  I just want a normal life.  I remember nearly starving to death in Colombia, and everything that ever happened to us and I still wonder what it was I did to deserve this. I mean, you can't make this stuff up.

I have no vehicle, I am barely surviving on odd jobs, and I don't even have a high school diploma. I need at least a GED to even get a job at McDonalds. I cannot afford to go to school because I need two jobs, which leaves no time for school. I just want to go to college. Without a vehicle it's hard to get to even one job. Every day is a struggle to figure out whether I should eat or pay the rent, or which bill should be paid late.  It is just this never ending cycle.  I need help.  People have asked me, why don't you go to a church and ask for charity. Forgive me, but after all I've been through, I really don't believe in God. Would you?  And my brother's gangbanging lifestyle? Sorry, can't do that either. When he went away I felt like I did five years.  I don't really know where else to turn.  So maybe, just maybe, you could find it in your heart to help me raise money for three life changing things.  

1. My citizenship papers, and a lawyer,  which are insanely expensive. $1,700.00

2. Some money so that I can actually finish the GED courses without having to work two jobs.  I have so far had to drop out of the program twice. 

3. A vehicle, even a scooter would work, so that I can get to a job without losing it, again, for "not having reliable transportation." $1,500.00

If you can help I would be forever grateful. Anything at all. Thank you.

Sorry, but I'm a little embarassed to put my name here.