As founder/owner of The Kids R Us Foundation, I wanted to share my motivation and drive behind my organization. At the age of 3, was the first time I was molested by a close family member. Then, again at the age of 5 by another family member. I guess you are probably wondering, “where was my parents?”. My mother worked the night shift, my biological father was in and out, and my stepfather worked every shift he could to ensure my little sister and I wanted for nothing. Because my parents (mother and stepfather) worked so hard, they trusted family to help look after us. Now, you’re probably wondering, “did my parents know?” No, I did not tell them until years and years later. First of all, I was “confused”. At the age of 3 or 5, I had no idea what they were doing to me. I just knew that I suffered a lot pain and I wanted it to “STOP”. How do you tell your parents that you have perverts in the family. I grew up” ANGER” and “RESENTFUL”. By 18 years of age, I was full of counseling, I was a terrible teen, in and out of trouble, ran away from home twice, and I even tried killing myself by setting the house on fire with me and family inside. Why didn’t I tell anyone? By now, I was “ashamed”. I even blocked it out as I got older and married. My fiancé at the time and soon became my husband, was the first person I told. He just used it against me. He was “verbally abusive”, he would “rape” me, he would “beat” me and I allowed it. He wanted to control me. He didn’t want me to go to college and he didn’t want me to work. I felt “alone” and still couldn’t tell my parents. That one day, I turned to my “Creator”, my “Lord” and “Savior”. I got down on my knees and prayed and prayed. I cried and I cried, until I could no longer cry anymore. No amount counseling is going help until “you” are ready to accept help. And, I am here to tell you that, “No matter what “you” are going through, “YOU ARE NOT ALONE”. If you feel someone is getting out of line with you, tell your parents. If your parents don’t listen, tell your teacher. If you teacher won’t listen, “CALL ME”. And, I will not “STOP” until I have done “ALL” that I can do. No child should have to grow up the way I did. That is why I have created the Kids R US Foundation. Kids R Us Foundation is a private, nonprofit child welfare organization with a commitment to serving homeless, poor, disadvantaged, abused, neglected and/or abandoned young children.