Please Read This Before You Judge

I’m not just asking for help because I want pity. I’m asking for help because I truly have nothing left — no savings, no income, no safety net. This isn’t a scam or a sympathy plea — this is survival. And I’ve spent years giving everything I had to serve others, not take from them.

Since moving to Frederick in 2020, I’ve done everything I could to uplift this community — even while struggling in silence myself. I worked hard at IHOP for years, showing up as a leader, server, motivator, and manager. I became a familiar face that people asked for by name. Even during the worst moments of my personal life, I stayed committed to my job and to the people who came through that door.

Outside of work, I volunteered my time, my energy, and even my own money to help people recover and rebuild. I started a women-and-children support group so they’d have a safe place to talk about recovery, healing, and survival — and I helped lead community events and meetings every week. I never asked for anything in return. I did it because I care.

So no — this isn’t just someone asking for “extra” or hoping for a free ride. This is someone who gave everything to the same community that now watches her struggle, alone, while fighting against a system that’s trying to break her.

If you feel moved to help, thank you.

If you can’t donate, please just share this story. That alone is more powerful than you know.

– Jessica Johnson

  🫂 Why I’m Asking for Help

I’ve stood for others my whole life — hosting community meetings, helping women and children escape hardship, and connecting families to housing, food, and healthcare. I still do what I can — even now. But today, I’m the one in crisis.

We’re living through toxic mold, health loss, and eviction threats — and we need help to survive it.

I’m not asking for sympathy. I’m asking for a chance to survive.

People see me put together, but they don’t know the truth. I’ve lost my job. I’ve lost my support system. I haven’t even had time to grieve my mom or hold a proper celebration of life. I’ve worked hard for almost 7 years to build my life, my credit, and stability — but now everything’s slipping because I’m the one handling this entire case alone.

I’ve even had to be separated from my youngest son, who has nonverbal autism, because our home is unsafe. That loss — not being able to raise my child day to day — has broken my spirit more than anything. The depression I’m experiencing isn’t just grief… it’s the result of years of toxic exposure, isolation, and pressure no one should face alone.

I don’t receive Section 8 or any government housing assistance. I’ve paid over $70,000 in rent on my own, just trying to keep my family safe — not including what I’ve spent on mold testing, cleaning supplies, dehumidifiers, bug spray, and now legal documents. I’ve skipped meals. I’ve sacrificed every extra dollar. I don’t have the luxury of asking family — I’m an only child. My mother had no life insurance. And my father was never in my life.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to fall through the cracks — this is it.

Anything you give helps me keep fighting for justice, for safety, and for my family’s future. Thank you for reading..