One Person Can Make a Difference
My mother never had any problems with self-esteem. She didn’t think to question that her boyfriend walked her from one class to another, or made sure that she never went into the cafeteria alone. He was always with her. She never questioned that.
After they got married he asked her to come to the United States, and completely isolated her from her family and friends. She moved to a country where she didn’t speak the language and her college degrees meant nothing. She suffered years of emotional abuse by his family and by him. Things got progressively worse.
One day after a really painful incident, she had to call into school and tell them that she wasn’t going to be there. The man over the phone asked her why…and she hesitated.. he asked, “Did he hit you?” but she didn’t answer. He then told her, “It doesn’t have to be that way,” and he gave her the phone number to Women In Distress.
She stayed in the shelter for just one week, but that one week changed her life. It was so hard for her on her own - to raise my brother and me - but she did it. She knew that no matter how hard it was, it was better than being in the violent situation – the abuse was tearing her down. I think all of us have the power to make a difference in a life. Whether it’s a stranger or whether it’s just a few minutes of contact with another person…we have the ability to change lives. Just one person got me away from a family situation that promised to be so horrible and so scarring.
For me, just one person and one sentence changed all of our lives.
Katie
Name and image have been changed to protect identity.
Dear Friend,
By reading the news you can see that domestic violence is a pressing problem in our community. It’s a problem that
takes the efforts of many to stop.
But these words from Katie prove that one person can make a difference.
Most women who walk though our doors are so afraid, so overwhelmed and so tired. At Women In Distress’ shelters
and outreach centers, they are met with warmth and encouragement. They are given resources to get over the major
hurdles in their lives and education and support to live safely. They are surrounded by new friends – others who are
going through the same experiences, who aren’t questioning the decisions that they have made, and who are supporting
their growth and happiness. Lives are changed and lives are saved at Women In Distress.
Women In Distress services are available to victims free of charge because of generous donors.
By making a gift to Women In Distress you will be the one making a difference in the life of a woman or child suffering abuse. Your gift will help provide shelter, counseling and resources. If you have already responded, thank you, and please forgive this reminder. If you haven’t yet, I hope you will consider making a gift today.
You can make a secure online donation by clicking here.
Thank you for your kindness.
Just as one person made a difference for Katie’s family – you too can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Carol Molnar, Comerica Bank
Women In Distress Board Chair
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