Before entering Human Options, Isabella dedicated her life to helping others as a case worker at an adult care center. Her commitment to providing services and resources to her clients was a testament to her compassionate nature. However, her own life took a dark turn when her partner began threatening her, both emotionally and financially, creating a terrifying and dangerous situation. He would threaten to take her income away so that she couldn’t leave. In the weeks leading up to her arrival at Human Options, Isabella’s abuser escalated his threats by saying he would kill her, visiting her workplace, and bombarding her with calls, ultimately leading to her having to quit her job. The turning point came one day when her partner made a shocking call to their daughter, Hanah. In a chilling display of intimidation, he asked if Isabella wanted him to die. The trauma of witnessing such a confrontation pushed Isabella to take decisive action. Faced with an urgent need to escape, Isabella took the courageous step of reaching out to shelters to leave for good and found Human Options in their search for safety.
Isabella was overwhelmed. She grappled with doubts about her ability to raise Hanah alone and concerns about her future. The process of healing and finding her footing was daunting. However, through therapy and participation in art therapy groups, Isabella began to reclaim her strength and confidence. She learned to remind herself of the reasons for her escape whenever feelings of shame or guilt of leaving began to resurface.
With time and support, Isabella’s transformation became profound. She now finds solace and empowerment in her newfound independence. She is more confident in raising Hanah by herself. Isabella and Hanah continued their journey at our Family Resource Center and successfully transitioned to their own home. Providing her with a much-needed sense of safety, Human Options was able to enhance her home’s security with new locks and a Ring camera.
Today, Isabella is preparing to return to her position at the adult care center, ready to once again make a difference in the lives of others. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience and personal growth. She expressed during her final session, “I am so glad that I found you guys. I feel safe for me and my daughter again.”
