All of the following stories are published with permission of their authors.
C is someone who did not stay in our shelter but received help and hope in 2009.
“When I arrived at Safe Harbor I met with Katy Pruitt. This was one of the lowest points of my life; Katy was absolutely a lifeline. Her kindness and empathy gave me the courage to go on. Katy also gave me materials, including books, regarding abuse that I read over and over to remind myself, or even at some level convince myself, that staying separate from my abuser was the right thing to do.
When my husband left me I was on disability; looking at being off for at least another month. I felt like my whole world was spinning out of control. I lost his income the moment he walked out the door.
The food I received from Safe Harbor was critical to my being able to keep moving forward. In addition, Safe Harbor paid money toward my next month’s rent. The thought of possibly losing my apartment and having to move my daughter in my condition was overwhelming. Also, Safe Harbor paid for my locks to be changed. I was struggling terribly with being able to sleep at night, wondering if my husband would come in and hurt either my daughter or I, especially once I filed for divorce which has the potential to be a dangerous time. I would literally lay awake for hours on end listening very intently to every noise I heard. The peace of mind that I received, and still have now, as a result of my locks being changed is priceless.
Emotional support in conjunction with financial support is critical to a victim being able to stay separate from the abuser.”
A father says thank you to Safe Harbor
Thank you for all of the help that you gave my daughter B during the last 16 months.
My first call to Safe Harbor was in the fall of 2007. B was in a very abusive relationship with her husband in another state. We brought B back to Sheboygan in the first week of January, 2008. In the 15 months since, we have slowly moved through the court system of both Michigan and Wisconsin. It’s been a difficult road, but we finally have a court order stipulating that B’s sons will live with her in the state of Wisconsin. An order for child support has been issued, and the divorce should be finalized next month. I can honestly say that the turning point in this long process was when we got the court to issue a restraining order against B’s husband. Safe Harbor did all of the paperwork in getting us the restraining order, and they did it without charge. Thank you so much!
A young mother tells her story
I was in an abusive relationship for 6 years. Almost died a few times; & a majority of the violence occurred in the presence of my two children. I was stuck, I wasn’t able to go out the front door & couldn’t get out the back door either.
It took the abuser to break my floor plate in my face as well as cause permanent nerve damage to my left cheek for me to give up my home to him. I can’t begin to explain the emotional damage the abuser cause to my children & I. Finally, my children & I gained the strength to put an end to the abuse.
I met with Safe Harbor who helped in so many ways. They were able to help me with food as well as a first month’s security deposit on a new home so the abuser can’t find my children & I. They called local churches to help w/ any other items I needed. As well as changed the locks on my new home for extra assurance we were safe. They helped me get the victim compensation forms out to help with all the damaged items & uncovered costs of his abuse. I wouldn’t have even known about the program if it wasn’t for Safe Harbor4. I wish I would’ve known I didn’t need to stay at the shelter for their help & support. They were the biggest help & support in keeping my strength to give the abuser up & move forward happily with my (2) children. We’re never looking back. J |
