Samantha's Story
At Journey Center for Safety and Healing, 2020 had been especially difficult for our Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter clients. Day to day normal was changed in every area, especially for barriers that our clients often face when leaving an abusive relationship, especially trying to get to work, to finding childcare, and to seeking housing services.
These barriers and many more were what one of our clients, Samantha, had experienced while utilizing our Shelter services. As a young girl, Samantha was in and out of the foster care system, and she experienced abuse and trauma at a young age. As a young adult, Samantha found herself in an abusive relationship that lead her to call our 24-Hour Helpline and stay in our Shelter.
When Samantha arrived to our Shelter with her daughter during the summer months, she was pregnant with her second child that she was expecting with her abuser. Already facing a high-risk pregnancy, the fear and stress of the pandemic only added to her anxiety.
Our Family Advocate worked with Samantha to address her needs, create a case plan, and provided support. Our Shelter was able to provide basic necessities (food, toiletries, etc.), bus tickets so Samantha could find a job, connect her with benefits through JFS including medical care and child care, and provided support and guidance throughout.
Samantha’s Family Advocate was also able to connect her to A Place for Me, the Bridges program, and provide a referral for rental assistance through Rapid Re-housing. Samantha was able to obtain employment after the birth of her happy, healthy baby as well, and is now working with a Community Advocate.
Samantha is one of many examples of great strength and resiliency, which was especially challenging during the pandemic. With the help and support of Journey Center, Samantha was able to successfully leave her abusive relationship and start over to better her life and the life of her family.
“Samantha is one of many examples of great strength and resiliency,”