Ava: An Update

Last year, we featured survivor Ava’s story online. We had the pleasure of meeting with her one year later to get an update on her and her son Jacob’s lives now. 

This April, I moved into an apartment with my son, Jacob. I was able to throw a birthday party for his second birthday this fall, which was a big deal for us both, since he spent his first birthday in the shelter.

I was recently promoted to Assistant Manager at a family-owned business and enjoy being a full-time employee and mom. After the trauma I’ve experienced in life, I strive to be better every day.

I still turn to Casa Myrna for personal obstacles and to refer friends who may benefit from their support. I appreciate that my advocate, Phillip, is still there for me whenever I need him, even though I’m no longer living in the residential program.

In the future, I dream of writing a memoir documenting my struggles and showing how I was able to overcome them. I would also love to advocate to change the law so that verbal abuse, like physical abuse, is considered a crime.

Now, I can finally say that I’m happy.