SHARING STORIES OF HOPE
For every sad statistic involving someone who wasn't able to escape an abusive situation, there is also a success story that ends in triumph, rather than tragedy. Those are the endings we strive to write!
Previous shelter residents share their personal testimonials about
what HOPE HARBOUR means to them, and how there is always HOPE.
"It was an amazing and different journey at Hope Harbour. I met so many different women. I would have never thought I would've been there. My abuser left me with nothing but a broken heart and scars for the rest of my life. I've never been to a shelter before, but I enjoyed my stay. It's been times where I'll come home from work and be so sad and down and the women will try everything just to uplift my spirit and make sure I'm okay. I'm the youngest here that is on my own. All of the older women took me under their wing like a little sister or daughter and I loved it. I've never had so much love in my life. It's taught me so much having a place help me get back off my feet after a traffic accident. I've never imagined an abuse shelter would help me like this one. They made sure we got back on our feet and kept us updated on everything. They let us have a home feeling. They made sure we kept it clean and neat and made sure we treated it like our own home. This place really helped me grow as an adult from being so young and an expectant mother. I'm excited and grateful for this journey there."
"When I first entered Hope Harbour I was very depressed because I had to start all over. My children have been through so much, but they gave me the strength I needed to come and get my life back. Some nights I would cry my eyes out because I didn't believe I could start over again since I have more than once. I felt as though this was my last and final chance given by God to get it right. Once I stopped crying, I cleaned my face and was determined to get my life in order. First with my advocate, I wrote down all my goals and one by one I completed them all. I am just so thankful for every opportunity that was given to me and what all the staff has done for me. I am truly thankful for the groups that I had there with me. They helped me with a lot of things I needed as far as self-awareness. I was reminded of who I am. Again, I am truly grateful for my job, my apartment, and all the things I achieved while being at Hope Harbour. I hope that I am able to leave some kind of example behind for the other ladies there."
Last May, a courageous victim reached out to Hope Harbour’s crisis hotline after enduring extreme abuse at the hands of her ex-husband. She had been taken from her home and held hostage in a hotel, where her abuser stripped her of all personal belongings, locking away her phone, clothing, and even the hotel phone in his car. Trapped and terrified, she suffered through a night of relentless violence.
In a moment of quick thinking, she managed to hide her abuser’s phone. The next morning, in his rush to leave, he failed to realize it was missing. Seizing the opportunity, she ran to the nearest gas station and called Hope Harbour for help. Recognizing the imminent danger she faced, law enforcement was immediately dispatched to her location and transported her directly to Hope Harbour’s emergency shelter, where she finally found safety.
With the unwavering support of her case manager, she began the journey toward rebuilding her life. Together, they developed a plan for self-sufficiency, connecting her with critical resources and guiding her toward independence. One of the biggest steps in her recovery was securing stable housing. As she and her case manager explored housing options, they met a property manager who, after hearing her story and witnessing her strength, was eager to help her secure a home.
Transitioning into Hope Harbour’s Rapid Rehousing program, she worked closely with her Outreach Advocate to set and achieve meaningful goals. She faced challenges head-on, embracing practical tools for resilience, learning coping strategies, and engaging with community partners who support survivors of trauma. With determination and guidance, she has since secured full-time employment at St. Francis Hospital and has started furnishing her home.
Now thriving and living a life free from violence, her next goal is to obtain reliable transportation to ensure she can maintain her newfound independence. Her Outreach Advocate is confident she is well on her way to achieving this milestone.
This survivor’s journey is a powerful testament to strength, resilience, and hope that emerge when a community comes together to support those in need. Hope Harbour is honored to have played a role in helping her build a future filled with safety, stability, and empowerment.
