Success Stories
An Escape from Violence
"I've never stayed in a shelter before," Anne said quietly. "I'm afraid to be homeless, but even more afraid to stay with him." Anne, a 35-year-old woman, came to the door of Calvary Women's Shelter one cold December evening. She had left her home to escape from an abusive husband.
Anne's fear grew out of years of being the victim of domestic violence. Anne fled her home after a particularly bad fight with her husband. She was so scared that she left behind most of her belongings. During this traumatic time, Anne lost her job, leaving her with no income to support herself.
Anne hoped that Calvary would be a place where she could begin to rebuild her life and take the first steps toward independence. Anne received regular counseling from our case manager and referrals to other agencies that address domestic violence. She actively participated in the women's rap group meeting at Calvary to share her experience of abuse and gain support from others. While at Calvary, Anne started a full-time job and began saving money for an apartment.
Today, Anne is living in her own apartment. She continues to hold a full-time job. She is grateful for the medical benefits she receives that allow her to work with a therapist who can help her address her experiences of abuse.
Sister Circle Offers New Hope
Tanya has been on her own since she was 12 years old. She was abused and neglected by the family members who were supposed to care for her. Tanya moved out and began supporting herself the only way she could - through prostitution and selling drugs.
Tanya was 34 by the time she came to Calvary. She had hit rock bottom, her health was failing, and she was totally alone.
Through the relationships she built at Calvary, the support of new friends from Alcoholics Anonymous, and the other services she received at Calvary, Tanya has turned her life around. She graduated from our Life Skills class, an intensive program to help Calvary residents build skills, and moved into a permanent apartment in Sister Circle, Calvary's 10-bed permanent housing program.
Tanya credits Calvary with getting her on the road to independence: "I knew that I could change my life when Calvary helped me feel like somebody cared."
Breaking the Cycle of Violence and Substance Abuse
"My sisters and I would hide under the bed when our dad would beat our mom," Linda confided to her case manager. "But that was before he started hurting us." As a young child, Linda was repeatedly sexually abused by her father. She knows that her sisters were also abused. Linda moved into Calvary Women's Shelter after leaving her sister's overcrowded apartment where she slept on the floor.
Unfortunately, Linda's only way to cope with the abuse was to numb herself with drugs and alcohol. At an early age she became addicted to drugs. When Linda was 16, she moved in with her older boyfriend to get away from her family. Before long, the boyfriend started abusing her, too.
When Linda moved into Calvary, it was clear that there were many years of substance abuse and personal trauma that she would need to address as she worked toward self-sufficiency. She began working with our therapist, who helped support her substance abuse recovery while she struggled with her past experiences. Linda also enrolled in GED courses and started a part-time job.
After four months at Calvary, Linda moved into a two-year transitional housing program designed to support women in recovery from substance abuse. She completed her GED and looks forward to finding a better job. Linda continues to participate in Calvary's Narcotics Anonymous meetings. She believes it is important for her to share her story so that other women know that change is really possible for them too.
Finding Health and Hope
Peg talks about being one of the desperate women, one of those that society ignores. Unable to hold a job, Peg has moved in and out of shelter too frightened to accept support or assistance. Sometimes she slept on the street. Her mental illness separated her from her family and others who could provide assistance.
After three months and a lot of personal interaction from the staff, Peg began opening up to the care that was offered at Calvary. She met with Calvary's psychiatrist who helped complete the documentation for government disability benefits and Medicaid health insurance.
By the time Peg had been at Calvary for six months she was ready to move into a supported permanent housing program, one that would continue to offer her case management and assistance. Peg has lived in her apartment for two months. She is getting along well with her roommate and is beginning to re-establish relationships with her family.
Each of the women at Calvary has a story. Many stories include experiences of mental and physical health problems, loss of a job, substance abuse, lack of education, abuse and trauma. Calvary Women's Services seeks to make a difference in these women's lives by offering them a safe, caring place for tonight; support, hope and change for tomorrow.
For more information, please call (202) 548-0595 or email CWSinfo@aol.com.