Anita’s story

“I hid in the attic and made the phone call. I was so scared, and I was tired of living my life that way. I talked with the staff member from SAVE about what was going on, and she was eager to keep me calm and offer help. Thankfully my children and I were able to enter the shelter that same day.”

I had been experiencing domestic violence most of my life and was in one abusive relationship after another. It was becoming unbearable; the physical abuse, mental and verbal abuse as well as sexual abuse. It got to the point that I just couldn’t take it anymore. It had my self-esteem at an all-time low, not to mention my children were also suffering. It affected them greatly, and I knew I had to make a change for them, for me…

One day, after being abused very badly the night before, I confided to a neighbor, and she gave me a hotline number to call for help. I had to get out, I had to flee.

I hid in the attic and made the phone call. I was so scared, and I was tired of living my life that way. I talked with the staff member from SAVE about what was going on, and she was eager to keep me calm and offer help. Thankfully my children and I were able to enter the shelter that same day.

When I arrived at SAVE’s shelter…

We were welcomed by the very kind and reassuring staff that day, and my children and I were able to get some much-needed rest. It was a big weight off my shoulders… as the days went by at SAVE, I became more and more comfortable with the fact that I was no longer a victim but now a survivor, an over-comer…

During my time at SAVE..

During my time at SAVE, I learned many things. The staff was always motivating and encouraging in so many ways, I met with a case manager a few times a week and had one-on-one time with her, which was very helpful. The staff offered many classes and workshops, which included parenting, career workshops, money management, self-empowerment (which was my favorite), as well as group and individual counseling. I completed all of the classes and workshops that were offered and even earned certificates, which made me feel really good about myself.

My children also benefited by staying at SAVE, they were able to meet with a children’s case manager individually and participate in children’s activities weekly. When school started, my children were given school clothes, shoes, a coat, a backpack, and much-needed school supplies. I remember my middle son, who was twelve at the time, saying to me, “Gosh Mom, these people really care about us, huh!?”

Where I am now…

Thanks to many caring staff members and donations, I was able to get back on my feet and my children were able to start feeling good about themselves again.

My stay at SAVE lasted about 3 months, by the time I was ready to leave, my self-esteem was at an all-time high and remains that way today! I learned so many things about myself, and most importantly, I learned how not to ever end up in a terrible situation like that again. I still use many of the skills that I learned at SAVE, and I’m happy to say the same for my children.

My oldest son, who is now sixteen, is a Fremont Fire Explorer and has been for two years now, an honor roll student and has a part time job after school. My middle son who is now 14, has just started high school this year and is off to a great start. He also helps out children in our neighborhood with homework and tutors them a few times a week. My littlest one, a little girl who just turned 7 this last Wednesday, is such a sweetheart, she recently participated in helping our church collect backpacks and school supplies for other children in need.
As for me, I really like kids, and I love to be at home with my children as much as I can, so I’ve been providing childcare from my home to many parents in need of affordable childcare. I also enjoy tutoring children in our community at a program our church has to offer, as well as volunteering at my daughter’s elementary school.

“Not only did SAVE help me to learn how to stay away from domestic violence relationships and unsafe situations, it taught me and my children that we could turn around our negative and unfortunate circumstances into something positive and give back.“