Giving Tuesday

A client entered YWCA’s domestic violence shelter with after being in an abusive relationship on and off for years. She had attempted to leave her situation several times in the past but returned because of limited resources. The client shared that as her children began to grow into adulthood and leave the home, she decided it was time for her and her youngest child to flee the situation. While staying in YWCA’s domestic violence shelter program, the client was able to get a new job and receive temporary rental assistance through one of YWCA’s housing grant programs. The client was able to secure a new home for her and her child, continue to work, and was able to transition to a long-term subsidized housing program that will help her build more permanent stability.

YWCA received a client referral for an individual who had experienced human trafficking. The client is on the autism spectrum and had believed she was entering into a dating relationship with the man who later abused and trafficked her. Prior to being connected with YWCA, this survivor had been sold by her family to the man who trafficked her, which included being moved across several states, intense emotional and psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and being forced into sex work by the trafficker.

After the trafficker was arrested, the survivor was connected with YWCA for safe shelter and advocacy. She had little money, resources, support, or autonomy. Her YWCA Advocate was quick to establish goals and worked diligently to meet the goals the client had outlined for herself. With Advocate’s assistance, the survivor was able to set up medical appointments, therapy appointments, and learned how to ride the bus as a way to navigate the new area she had never lived in before. She also started a job training program through one of YWCA’s community partners. The Advocate assisted the survivor through navigation of law enforcement interviews from several states, as well as connection with Homeland Security for the federal investigation. Eventually the survivor identified a new safe location to relocate to, which was closer to family support. The Advocate assisted the survivor in relocating across the country, connecting with assistance in that area, and arranging resources for her. The survivor was able to move into her own apartment, get a library card, and obtain and maintain employment. She has remained vocal about her goals, and ability to achieve her goals independently despite the barriers she has faced.

One client has been seeing her YWCA therapist for several years, and when she started therapy, she was still living with her abuser. Many of her initial therapy sessions focused just on emotional support. Since that time, the client has been able to leave her abuser, get a divorce, start paying for all of their bills, and has bought a new car (cutting all of her ties to the abuser except their children). Now that she feels safe, she has started working through some of her trauma with her YWCA therapist, processing through how her trauma has impacted her.