Survivor Story

Angela

In the beginning it was just a normal relationship and I was happy to be in love. Not long after we met, I found out I was pregnant and a few months later we welcomed a beautiful baby girl.

But after the baby arrived, he started changing– he was never around. He didn’t seem to care about me or the baby. Then I found out he had another baby mama who he liked to party with. He was dividing his time between both of us and, I found out, sleeping in my bed with her when I was at work.

I told him if he was going to continue to see his baby mama, he was going to have to leave. He grabbed me by the throat and started choking me. I honestly thought I was going to die right there in front of my baby, but he left.

I couldn’t find a shelter anywhere and for a while, I was homeless while my kids stayed with my mom. Eventually, I heard about Casa Myrna and called. It was amazing what they did for me. I stayed at the Casa Myrna shelter for about a month while they helped me find an apartment through the Rapid Rehousing program. Rapid Rehousing is a great program that let me pay 30% of the rent for one year, while I saved for a permanent apartment. I moved into a new apartment after a year in New Bedford, where rents were much more affordable. I was financially stable and safer and far away from my abuser and all our problems.

I also worked with the advocates in the Economic Stability program and learned to spend more wisely, plan a budget and, for the first time in my life, keep a savings account. Now I am very excited about the future.

My experiences have made me hard. I admit I put a wall up now. But I am also stronger and will not be abused again. I am taking driving lessons right now, even though I always used to have a big fear of driving. I am so thankful to Casa Myrna for helping me to take charge of my life.

–Angela