Tanya opened her heart to trusting others again
As a domestic violence survivor, Tanya said she felt betrayed by more than her abuser.
“When everybody turned their back on me, CVIC staff were there and supported me and made me realize I can do this,” she told us.
Just as we hoped, CVIC became a place she could depend on, with advocates, therapists and community partners who weren’t going to turn their backs on her. Ever.
Threatened. Isolated. Bruised.
For Tanya, watching her every move was part of life for nearly 20 years.
“He became controlling and then it got violent. I had to worry about what I said or what I did, at any moment something could set him off,” she recalled. “He would hit or cover my mouth so I couldn’t breathe.”
Despite wanting to reach out for help, sometimes the intimidation was too much. “Go ahead and scream, if the cops come make sure they have a reason to take me,” he’d sneer.
Survivors are often isolated which can make leaving nearly impossible, but Tanya knew something had to change.
While her husband was in prison, Tanya recognized that she was strong enough to leave the relationship.
“It was tough. … My kids and I slept in a car, we then got an apartment and I was working three jobs,” she recounted. “We had to stay in the shelter for a little bit. I also used the legal services – they helped me with getting my divorce and CVIC helped with transitional housing too,” she described.
CVIC’s dynamic programs often can mean the difference between a client leaving or going back to a partner who uses violence.
Tanya acknowledged the donors in our community who are making a difference daily.
She added, “Without their support, so many people wouldn’t make it out of situations like I was in… For donors to give to a place like CVIC and help people like me and everyone else that uses their services is the most amazing gift you could give somebody.”
Our compassionate staff helped Tanya achieve her goals—just like our donors help us achieve ours.
Thank you for supporting CVIC this holiday season!
Open up to grateful hearts this season
Gratitude comes in all shapes and sizes. This season, CVIC is sharing gratitude for you—our donors and supporters—who open up their hearts to generosity and giving back when and where it’s needed most.
Your giving spirit ensures clients like Tanya have a safe haven at CVIC— a place built for safety, healing, education and prevention.
Explore other opportunities for investing in CVIC’s future. Our unique giving structures maximize every donor dollar and unlocks opportunity for us to serve our community with our holistic approach to ending violence.