Meredith, an assistant for the County of Orange, always dreamed of a better life for herself and her three daughters. In 2018, she and her partner purchased a home together, but what began as a hopeful chapter quickly turned dark. The verbal abuse escalated to physical confrontations, and her partner’s jealousy turned invasive, leading him to track Meredith’s movements via trackers and airtags secretly.
Feeling trapped, Meredith’s only place for safety and peace was in her garage to escape the turmoil inside. The environment grew unbearable as she faced humiliation and fear daily, often having to leave work to protect her daughters from her partner’s rage. Desperate for change, she found support through the Santa Ana Family Justice Center, where she was connected to Human Options.
With the guidance of a legal advocate, Meredith began to envision a life free from abuse. They safety-planned together, and when she realized the danger her daughters faced continued escalating, she took a courageous step: she reached out to our emergency shelter. Upon entering the shelter, Meredith attended a Family Law Clinic, gaining essential legal advice that empowered her to advocate for her and her daughter’s safety.
Over time, Meredith transformed her despair into strength. She obtained a permanent restraining order and full custody of her daughters, and with newfound determination, she initiated divorce proceedings. No longer overwhelmed by tears, she emerged as a resilient advocate for herself and her family. Today, Meredith is a dedicated single mother, balancing work and her daughters’ extracurricular activities while actively participating in healing programs.
