Annie dreamed of a loving family. When she found out she was pregnant, she hoped for a beautiful future with the person she loved. But as months passed, small disagreements turned into bigger issues, and the emotional toll of the relationship grew. At first, she thought it was just part of building a family, but as her pregnancy progressed, the signs of abuse became undeniable. When her son was born, she hoped for a fresh start, but the stress and tension in her relationship only worsened. Annie knew she could no longer ignore the signs—she needed help and to get out.
That’s when Annie reached out to Human Options. Our hotline advocates responded right away, providing her with the immediate support she needed. Annie and her baby were welcomed into our shelter, where she received the essentials, a bassinet, diapers, and bottles, to make her feel cared for as a new mother. In the beginning, Annie kept to herself, focusing on her baby and trying to process the rapid changes in her life. She was navigating the challenges of new motherhood in an environment filled with uncertainty and fear, yet she did so with grace, showing an immense amount of love and care for her son. But as the days passed, the weight of everything she had been through began to surface. She opened up to our staff, sharing how overwhelming it was to be a new mom while coping with the trauma of an abusive relationship. Annie had always been someone who wanted to do everything herself, to keep going even when things were hard. But through counseling and support from our team, she began to see that asking for help wasn’t a sign of weakness, it was a strength. We helped her arrange childcare one or two times a week with the help of her support system, so she could take time for herself and heal.
This simple act of prioritizing her own well-being was transformative for Annie, who is now finally beginning to feel more whole. She found strength in the idea that taking care of herself was just as important as caring for her child. She no longer had to carry the weight alone. She could ask for help and still be the loving mother she wanted to be. Over time, Annie grew more confident in her ability to care for herself and her baby. Her experience at the shelter gave her the tools to navigate her healing, and she came to realize that she had the power to shape her own future. As her stay came to an end, Annie made plans to stay with her mother, who had supported her by providing childcare during her time in the shelter. She was also awaiting a spot in a transitional housing program to take the next step toward stability.
Annie started out seeking love and family, and in the process, she found something even more important: herself. Her journey is one of rediscovery, of finding her voice, and of learning that asking for help is an essential part of strength. Annie is no longer defined by the abuse she faced. She is a mother, a survivor, and a woman who has learned that love starts with self-care.
