For years, I lived in a world where love was confused with control, and hope was clouded by fear. As a hardworking mother raising a teenage son, I wanted nothing more than to give him a stable and happy life. But growing up without positive role models left me lost and unsure of what a healthy relationship looked like. I ignored red flags, thinking that things would eventually get better.
The night I knew I had to leave was the night my son got in the middle of an altercation between my partner and me. It was no longer just about me—it was about protecting him, giving him a future without violence. I had no family to turn to, no friends who could help. We were alone.
That’s when I found Desert Rose. A police officer who responded to the incident told me about the shelter, and without hesitation, I made the choice to go. I remember stepping inside for the first time and feeling something I hadn’t felt in years—peace. The shelter was quiet, the staff kind, and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. A weight lifted from my shoulders.
The support I received at Desert Rose was more than just a roof over my head. The staff provided us with clothing, hygiene products, and essentials, but what truly made a difference was the emotional and mental support. I wasn’t just another statistic—I was a person, a mother, a survivor. The Domestic Violence support group became my lifeline. Listening to other women’s stories, sharing my own, and realizing that I wasn’t alone gave me strength I didn’t know I had.
With the shelter’s help, I found an apartment for my son and me. The local community even assisted with my deposit, making the impossible feel possible. For the first time, I had utilities in my own name. I opened a bank account. I even got a promotion at work. I was no longer just surviving—I was building a new life.
Today, I am more confident than ever. My anxiety about the future has lessened, and I can finally breathe. Freedom, to me, isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about the simple things. Sitting at the kitchen table with my son, talking about our day without fear, is the kind of peace I cherish.
To anyone who is in the situation I once was, I want you to know this: take a deep breath and believe in yourself. There is hope, and there are people who want to help. If you’ve just arrived at a shelter and feel unsure of what comes next, know that better things are coming. The staff is there to support you—lean on them.
I also believe that more awareness needs to be spread about the resources available to domestic violence survivors. Before I left, I didn’t know that there were people who could offer advice, that there were programs designed to help women like me rebuild their lives. But now, I do. And I want others to know that they don’t have to stay in the darkness—there is a way out.
