Survivor Story

Ava

I was so happy when I got pregnant. I always wanted children and I thought he loved me, and everything would be fine. But when he found out, he told me right away that he didn’t ever want kids and to get an abortion. We fought all the time about it. Gradually the fights got physical, and the beatings were getting worse.

I began to feel that my life was in danger. But when he would beat me, I never called the police because I was afraid of being deported. I lived in constant fear of his abuse and his reporting me to immigration. I didn’t want to take that risk because I wanted to stay in America, so my baby could choose to be whatever he wanted to be.

When I was eight months pregnant, he put me out and I was homeless. I didn’t know what to do. Nobody opened the door for me because I was an immigrant. But finally, Casa Myrna did. If I needed anything, they were always there.

First, my advocate explained that there is a path to safety that doesn’t involve deportation. Then we worked together to get a work permit and a job and now I’m doing amazing! Today, I am the proud mother of a beautiful baby boy! I am so thankful to all of you for giving me and my son a chance for a good life.