My name is Mia. I come from a small town where I had to grow up too early. I dreamed of being ordinary - just living, just being happy. But the reality was very different. Dad left when I was six. My mom worked two jobs to feed us. I learned early on not to ask - because I knew I had nothing.

Today I'm here. Still alive. Still hopeful. I'm not playing a role. I'm not pretending. I just want to be safe. I just want to feel like someone cares about me.

Sometimes there were men I trusted. I thought they'd save me. But they broke me. Took away my faith, my strength, my dignity. I was losing the roof over my head, left without food, with only one bag and the pain in my chest. There were days when I didn't even have bread. I would go to the shower and cry under the running water so no one would hear.

I don't ask for much. I'm not expecting a miracle. Just if you're reading this, know that even one dollar is like a breath of air. Like an affirmation that I'm not alone in this darkness. It's an opportunity to not give up. To not lose myself. To stay human. Thank you, if you respond. For being caring. For being a light.