Success Stories

Survivor 1
Survivor came into shelter with her child after her abuser took over her life. She had no freedom; he took her money, her home and even turned her children against her. She was physically, verbally, financially, and mentally abused. She second-guessed her parenting, her worth as a human being, and what she was capable of. She worked with staff on a daily basis from signing up for public benefits to getting a job and housing, to become self-sufficient again. Survivor got a job, enrolled her child in school, regained courage and self-worth, and found a safe place for her and her child to call home. Survivor is now working, in a great home and succeeding. She has regained her relationship with her daughter and has realized it is time for a divorce.

Survivor 2
Survivor was brought into shelter by the police after a horrible incident of physical abuse; survivor was bruised from head to toe and visibly scared. Survivor did not speak English and had a hard time communicating with staff. Her children were shy and scared. Staff worked with survivor utilizing interpreter services to obtain a restraining order, utilize legal action of WI to assist in her divorce proceedings and sign up for public assistance. When survivor first came into shelter, her goal was to return to her home country and to live with her family. She wanted to return with her children, she did not want to live on her own. After working with staff and learning to trust again, survivor decided to move out on her own with her children. Survivor is now living in her own apartment with her children. They are all thriving. The children are fluent in both languages, attend school, and interact well with others. The survivor has gained a support system, friends, and has goals for the future. Survivor also has a basic understanding of English, and can communicate through text without using a translator service.

Survivor 3
Survivor entered shelter after fleeing from out of state with her four children. Her abuser had physically assaulted her multiple times and threatened to kill her. She had left in the middle of the night and drove all the way to WI. When she arrived she was bruised, scared and exhausted. After just a few short days, survivor signed up for the HSED program to work toward her high school diploma, applied for multiple jobs, had a few interviews scheduled and started working on her healing. In the following weeks survivor obtained a job, childcare, switched her Public benefits to state, and started a budget. Survivor attended group, worked with staff to continue healing, obtain a restraining order and searched for apartments. Even with the start of COVID-19, the survivor continued to work, save and finish her HSED. She graduated the HSED program, budget, and moved into her own apartment. Survivor is still working and her children are enrolled and attending school. She is happy with her progress.

Survivor 4
Survivor entered the shelter scared, alone and visibly shaken. Her abuser had fled with her child and the police department was not being helpful in the least. Women's Resource staff reached out to the Sheriff, as well as the officer who heads the lap program. We insisted someone do something to get the mother reunited with her children. An officer was sent out to do a police report. After 3 days of the child missing, the child was returned to the mother. The mother was relieved but still frightened. The child had to go to the hospital to be checked out and make sure no harm was caused. When this women entered shelter she was clearly bruised and battered and scared. She questioned herself with almost everything.
This woman started attending one on ones with our Domestic Violence Psycho-Educator, as well as group. She also talked with the advocates every day and got her story out. She was able to do things on her own that she was worried about in the past, such as getting her car fixed, attending doctor's appointments, etc. She moved out of shelter, into her own place, has amazing confidence and is even willing to face her abuser in court, which she was very scared to do. The women, who attends group with us now, is confident, smart, funny, with a little bit of sass. Her full personality has found its way back and it's amazing to watch her grow as a mother.

Survivor 5
A survivor entered after seeing our Domestic Violence Psycho-Educator for a few months. Before entering she was in an abusive living situation. She was having a hard time leaving or standing up for herself. However, she got herself out of that living situation. She attended groups and one on ones, as well as completed parenting classes, AODA treatment, and got a job. She worked 50 plus hours a week to get herself back on her feet, while attending all these classes, to fight for her children. She found an apartment and is now preparing for her children to be reunited with her. We are still helping her with court support and group, but as we all know, healing from a lifetime of abuse in not a quick process. She recently found the courage to cut out the abusive people in her life and is moving even farther forward.