Page 11 - 2019 Impact Report for flip book

Rebecca was 15 when her father began to physically
and sexually abuse her. After high school, she met Ryan,
who was kind and loving - everything she had hoped for
in a relationship. But after moving in together, she realized
the extent of Ryan’s drug use. He began to verbally and
physically abuse Rebecca and it wasn’t long before she
began to use drugs to get a reprieve from the violence.
When Rebecca learned she was pregnant, she was filled with
hope. She found help to overcome her drug addiction and gave
birth to a healthy son, Jake. Ryan’s promise of a fresh start
lasted a month before the abuse and drugs started all over. When
he began to threaten Jake, Rebecca came to The Shelter.

Determined to improve life for herself and her son, Rebecca
embraced the many services offered at The Shelter. She found a
job and worked tirelessly to save every penny. After four months in
the emergency shelter, Rebecca was approved for The Shelter’s
Transitional Living program.
Rebecca set a goal of helping other women like herself and enrolled
in a bachelors program in psychology. She completed The Shelter’s
Financial Literacy Class, set a budget, increased her credit score, and
paid off her credit cards.
Today, she is one semester away from her bachelor’s degree in psychology
and she is a proud homeowner through Habitat for Humanity.
“I now see my past as a testimony of victory,” she says. “I don’t feel ashamed
anymore. I feel proud of myself for all the sacrifices I’ve made because they
led us to a better life. I am grateful for my advocate and The Shelter for
changing my life. I am living a miracle.”
12,301 Counseling hours provided to survivors in 2019

shelter

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