Before seeking support, Aurelia, a self-employed mother of two young boys, was deeply engaged in her children’s lives. She supported homeschooling, joined field trips, and looked for community activities they could enjoy together. Over the course of a six-year relationship, however, she experienced abuse ranging from verbal to physical and stalking. The ongoing harm made it difficult for her to focus on her children and left her feeling overwhelmed.
Aurelia recognized that the environment was unsafe for her and her children. She left and temporarily stayed with her sister, but knew the arrangement could not be permanent. Aurelia called the Human Options hotline and entered the Emergency Shelter Program with her sons, Eli, age four, and Noah, age five.
Even during this difficult transition, Aurelia found a creative way to help her children feel safe. She described the shelter as a “superhero hideout” and packed several superhero costumes within the family’s two bags they had with them. The boys wore them almost every day, transforming an unfamiliar setting into a place where they could feel brave and protected. Aurelia gained time to work toward her goals while her sons received support through the Children’s Program. Over time, staff saw Aurelia begin reconnecting with the active, community-oriented person she had been before the abuse. She joined an outside group and once again began participating in activities with her children.
Noah also made meaningful progress. When he first entered the Children’s Program, he often responded to strong emotions by hitting and had difficulty calming himself. Staff consistently introduced coping and grounding strategies. By the end of the family’s stay, Noah could recognize when he was upset, step aside to calm his body, and explain which technique he had used. One of his favorite tools was deep breathing with the “cool down thermometer.” After each session, Noah eagerly showed Aurelia what he had created and taught her the day’s lesson. His ability to explain the tools demonstrated how much he had learned, while Aurelia’s excitement and pride reflected the family’s growing connection and hope.
Aurelia completed the Family Healing program and secured stable housing shortly afterward. Today, she and her children are continuing their healing journey with new coping skills, renewed community connections, and a safer foundation on which to build their future. Step by step, Aurelia is reclaiming the engaged, joyful mother she has always been, while her children are learning that their feelings can be understood, expressed, and soothed. Healing means more than finding safety; it means restoring hope, rebuilding trust, and creating the freedom to move forward together.
