Elisa

How do survivors find out about the resources that are available to them? For Elisa, it was becoming friends with her neighbor, Casa Myrna advocate Yoanna.

Elisa ended a toxic relationship after 10 years, but her troubles didn’t end there. As a single mother of three children, finances were a struggle – sometimes she couldn’t even afford diapers. Her car accumulated too many parking tickets she couldn’t pay, so she relied on her abuser to drive their children to school, even though he would verbally insult and reprimand her for needing his help.

Yoanna lived in the same building and saw Elisa often. They talked to each other, and over time built a relationship. Eventually, Elisa felt comfortable sharing with Yoanna what she was going through. Yoanna knew just what to do: as part of Casa Myrna’s Community Advocacy team, she helped connect Elisa with Casa Myrna and support that would allow her to get on top of her expenses.

Casa Myrna was able to help pay her parking tickets, cable bill, and electricity bill, and provide toiletries and funds for her children’s basic needs. Just weeks after reaching out to Casa Myrna, Elisa was able to stop relying on her abuser.

Now, Elisa is participating in Casa Myrna’s economic stability program to work on building a solid financial foundation. “Hopefully my story can inspire another woman who’s in my situation and let them know that there are people right here who can help them.”