Survivor Stories
Jessica*
Jessica was new to Colorado after she fled her state to escape her violent husband, who had severely beaten and nearly killed her. She was not familiar with the resources available in the Colorado Springs region, so a family member referred her to TESSA. Jessica came to TESSA seeking help and information, which she quickly received through a confidential victim advocate. The advocate provided Jessica with information about TESSA’s counseling services, which would help her emotionally heal from the trauma caused by her husband’s abuse. Since she had fled in such a hurry, Jessica did not have many basic living items, such as clothing and toiletries. In fact, she was still wearing the same clothes she had on the day that she left her husband and her home.
Jessica relocated to our beautiful state, because she has family here who can support her as she works to redevelop her self-sufficiency. She is very focused on transforming her life so that she can regain parental rights of her children, who are in foster care due to the domestic violence incidents that occurred in her home. Jessica was very upset as she talked about losing her children and her desire to provide a better life for her family. The advocate offered understanding and support as Jessica relayed her story, and offered to supply her with some things to help her through the next few weeks. She was accompanied to the donation area where she found some clothes and a coat to protect her from the winter weather. Jessica chose some toiletries, and she was provided with a gas voucher to help her drive around town as she looked for employment. Extremely thankful, she cried and hugged the advocate as she left TESSA with a warm coat, a gas voucher to help with job searching, toiletries to help prepare her for interviews, and a plan to enroll in the Counseling Program.
Rebecca*
Rebecca, 34, came into our main office lost and confused. With a toddler and another baby on the way, she was coming to realize that her controlling and manipulative husband was not willing to change his abusive behaviors. Not quite ready to leave, she talked to an advocate who helped her develop a safety plan and explore her other options. After one particularly violent night, Rebecca left her house with her child and entered the TESSA safehouse. Using the knowledge she gained from her visit with the advocate, she knew exactly where to call and what to do when the time came. During her safehouse stay, she attended groups and individual counseling, and began building back her life. With the help of a local church program working with TESSA to provide transitional housing funds, Rebecca was able to get her first month’s rent and security deposit paid for, and she and her son moved into their own place.
*The names used the survivor stories above have been changed to protect the victim
