There are a lot of women in America that are stuck in unpleasant situations. For example, trying to break up with their boyfriends, due to verbal abuse, domestic abuse, controlling behavior. So the mom wants to become a single mom, to live a more peaceful life, away from the stress of being in a bad relationship. A lot of women have the desire to continue their education and go back to college. But the main problem they can’t afford it. Getting their own place, is expensive, getting a lawyer for child custody is expensive, paying the bills is expensive. It’s simply expensive doing everything on their own.
A lot of the moms who want to leave their partners, simply do not have family to stay with. Here’s the thing: Every state has resources to help single moms leave abusive husbands, fiancé’s or boyfriends. For example in the state of Florida there are resources for single moms to apply for public housing. Each state has different counties. We will use Leon County for this scenario. If you are looking for domestic violence help in Leon County, this guide offers vital resources including how to call 211, where to apply for food stamps, and websites to find pro bono lawyers in the area.
Here are some steps for mothers who want to leave their abusive partners:
🏠 Housing & Safety
- Apply for public housing. Ask if there’s an emergency or priority list for single moms in unsafe/domestic situations.
- Call 2-1-1. 211 can connect women to local resources for housing, shelters (even family-friendly ones), they can also provide phone numbers to legal aid, and more.
- Check out Catholic Charities, and local DV (domestic violence) shelters , many help women in domestic violence situations in Leon County.
💵 Financial Help
- Apply for TCF (temporary cash assistance ), SNAP (food assistance) , and Childcare Vouchers. These can all work together to reduce a mom’s financial burden while they are considering furthering their education.
- Ask your school if they have a Single Parent or Emergency Grant Fund, many colleges do.
- Look for student housing options or income-based housing specifically for parents/students.
🎓 Education
- Contact the university’s/ college’s financial aid department or contact the student support coordinator ASAP. Tell them the situation. Some schools can offer:
- Emergency housing..
- Extended grace periods for payment.
- Flexibility to maintain your scholarship.
- Ask if there’s a work-study program that allows for one to work a few hours on campus around their schedule.
👩👦 Legal Stuff
- If things get unsafe, start documenting everything quietly: texts, calls, or anything else that shows control or emotional abuse.
- A mom might be eligible for a protective order or legal aid if her ex is interfering with her right to live and move freely.
- 🏛️ Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee
- Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF)
- Leon County Clerk’s Law Pro Bono Center
- Florida Bar Legal Aid Resources
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