Escape from fear and violence
- Apr 1, 2007 - 1
Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
When Jennifer first contacted Baptist Family & Children’s Services (BFCS) for help, she and her three young children were in a domestic violence shelter. She did not have money to support them and her husband was incarcerated for abusing her.
From the beginning, we found Jennifer to be a very motivated and hardworking person. Our staff completed an assessment and shortly after held a Wraparound meeting for Jennifer and her family where several church members attended. The group put their heads together and came up with some options for Jennifer to pursue for housing, employment, and the family’s emotional and spiritual needs.
Jennifer applied for BFCS’s transitional housing program and was accepted. The timing was perfect. Jennifer’s move out date from the shelter was the same time she could move in to our transitional apartment.
A generous woman from Jennifer’s church volunteered to organize a housewarming shower to provide for all of Jennifer’s home needs. The church “showered” Jennifer with every item she could have possibly needed from pots and pans to bath towels and sheets. BFCS and the domestic violence shelter provided furniture. It was a collaborative effort that made the apartment a home for Jennifer and her children. Jennifer can now be assured that she has everything she needs for her home and will be able to take it all with her when she moves on to her own apartment.
Jennifer’s only income was through the Department of Social Services and a temporary job. She knew this would not provide for her family and she desired a career. The Wraparound team suggested that Jennifer complete a career assessment that the church provided. The team did not want a quick financial fix for Jennifer but a long term change.
It was through this assessment that Jennifer learned she enjoyed cosmetology. The team quickly pursued options and Jennifer found a local school to attend. The school helped her to work out the finances and Jennifer is proud to currently be a full time student!
During her time as a student, BFCS has committed to providing the transitional apartment at a highly subsidized rate so she can pursue a career and provide for her children. Jennifer went one step further and found a part time job in the cosmetology field. She organized childcare through a caring family in the church.
It takes no special powers of observation to see the changes in Jennifer. She smiles more and will beam when asked about her classes. The children, once scared by their father, now live in a stable and loving home.
Jennifer knows the next year will not be easy but she is excited to see where it will take her. The church continues to provide Jennifer and her children with invaluable support and encouragement. BFCS is glad to continue to support Jennifer’s family and her church as she makes long term changes in her life.
This article is reprinted from the April 2007 issue of Baptist Family Now, the newsletter of Baptist Family & Children’s Services.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Ministry, Family, Abuse, Child Abuse, Spousal Abuse
1 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Jan 20th, 2008, at 12:55pm, Rhonilda Parker wrote:
I live in Middlesboro Kentucky,a place where domestic violence is never talked a bout much less women who are abused ever thinking about leaving for fear of being unjured or killed.
What kind of support or sources of empowerment can the church give to such women who are afraid to speak out about their situations they are in in terms of counseling both victims and abusers.
As of now I have observed very little if any programs in this area of the world.
Can the warning signs of abuse be taught in Sunday School or special womens groups within the church and especially to the youth?
Regards in Christ Jesus
Ms.R.Parker