Page 7 - 2020 Impact Report Full

Hannah

At four years old, Hannah’s brother helped her
escape out her bedroom window as their mother
was violently beaten by their father. They ran
through the dark to a neighbor’s house. Officers
found Hannah’s mother on the floor of their home.
Her eyes were swollen shut, her cheek bones
shattered and her nose was broken, but her first
words were, “are my children okay?”

The family came to The Shelter in desperate need
of hope and healing. After meeting with a counselor,
it was apparent that Hannah was in serious
distress. She would not speak or eat and she
refused to go to school. She had literally escaped
inside herself. Advocates worked with Hannah,
hoping to build trust and a sense of safety.

One day on The Shelter’s playground, Hannah
shouted “Hey Miss! Look at my cartwheel!” The
advocates turned to each other in surprise. It was
like a window had flung open in Hannah’s tiny soul.
From that moment on, she talked, went to school
and happily took part in Shelter programs.
Hannah’s family entered The Shelter’s transitional
living program, which provides two years of housing
as well as counseling, legal and financial advocacy.
Two years later, Hannah’s mother has a home, a
car, a job, savings, and an emergency fund. Most
importantly, the whole family has healed and has
hope for the future.

6,169 Hours of child care and after school care provided in 2019-2020

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