Survivor Stories

Layla came to our Becky’s House^® Emergency Shelter along with her young son. After her son’s father abandoned them, Layla eventually met someone and started a new relationship. What began as attentive care soon grew into controlling behavior that escalated to emotional and physical abuse. During the last incident, Layla’s abuser assaulted her so severely that her neighbor called the police. Layla and her son were taken to the hospital where she was referred to YWCA.

After a brief stay in our emergency shelter, Layla and her son moved to our transitional housing program where she could focus on healing and stabilizing her family. She attended counseling services to begin working through her trauma. As they began to feel safe, Layla found a new job and her son returned to school. She was starting to make progress on her goals when she suddenly lost her job due to the pandemic. Layla was overwhelmed with the setback and worried she would not be able to provide for her family. She now needed help with basic living expenses while she tried to regain employment.

YWCA provided additional support to assist Layla with her urgent needs while she continued working through the program. She found a new job and began focusing on her future again. Layla quickly received a promotion and started online courses to finish her college degree. With help from her housing coordinator, Layla moved into a two-bedroom apartment with her son. She will receive short-term rental assistance and ongoing counseling services. Layla is determined to provide a safe and stable future for her young family.

I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to take care of my son on my own. Thanks to YWCA, we're in our own home and getting better every day. I never felt alone because I had so much support from all of you. Thank you for helping us get through this.