Before the abuse, Sarah was a woman full of dreams, a resilient, hopeful mother determined to build a life filled with love and opportunity for her children. Despite a complicated relationship with her own family, she found comfort in the promises of her husband and believed deeply in the future they had planned together. But that dream quickly unraveled.
Shortly after moving abroad with her husband, Sarah began to notice controlling behaviors that soon escalated into physical abuse. Fearing for her safety and the well-being of her newborn son, she made the courageous decision to return to her mother’s home. But the comfort she hoped for was short-lived. Her mother’s own controlling tendencies left Sarah feeling isolated once again. With few options and desperate for stability, she reconciled with her husband after he vowed to change.
Hope flickered once more when Sarah became pregnant again. But the cycle of abuse continued. Her husband refused to work, became increasingly violent, and Sarah was forced to make another impossible decision, this time fleeing with three young children and nowhere to go. They lived in their van, navigating each day with uncertainty. Despite her own physical disabilities and the unbearable challenges of homelessness, Sarah never lost sight of her goal: a better life for her children. She made sure they were enrolled in good schools, attended soccer practices, and that their lives still had moments of normalcy and joy. She enrolled in school by herself, refusing to let go of the future she once imagined.
During this time, Sarah learned about Human Options and added herself to the housing waitlist. Her strength and determination never wavered. Even in the most difficult moments, she stayed proactive and hopeful. Within a month, a spot in a housing program opened, and Sarah and her children had a roof over their heads and the foundation for a fresh start.
With the stability and support of Human Options, Sarah began to heal. She secured a full-time job, which not only gave her financial independence but also allowed her to improve her credit score and successfully transition into her own apartment through the DV-Bonus rental assistance grant. Sarah and her children now had a safe, stable place to call home.
“I never thought I’d be able to live a life where I wasn’t scared all the time. Now, I wake up and I know my kids are safe, I’m safe. I can finally dream again.”- Sarah
Today, Sarah continues to work full-time and is back in college, attending classes in person as she works toward her Associate’s degree. She’s focused on saving income to ensure long-term independence and dreams of a future where she can help others, perhaps working in childcare or supporting survivors of domestic violence like herself.
