Success Stories

SURVIVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: HOW UCM IS HELPING

For several years, Carmen lived through escalating domestic violence. Forced to stay at home without permission to use even the phone, Carmen became increasingly isolated. One day, she made a bold decision to take her son and leave. They initially sought refuge in a local shelter before being referred to UCM's Journeys program, a two-year intensive transitional housing program for families fleeing domestic violence.  

The first thing UCM did was move Carmen and her son into a safe and stable apartment where Carmen didn't have to worry about paying the rent until she had a source of income. At the same time, UCM gave Carmen groceries through its Food Pantry so she and her son could eat. With these most basic of needs being met, Carmen was ready to begin the road toward recovery.

The Journeys' Housing Counselor began to work with Carmen to make a thorough assessment of her situation and develop a comprehensive plan towards independence. Carmen met weekly with her Housing Counselor and attended monthly peer support meetings, as well as basic skills classes offered by UCM in budgeting, positive parenting, and other topics. UCM's caring staff helped her cope with the emotional trauma of being physically and emotionally abused.

Because her husband had given her HIV/AIDS, one key piece of Carmen's recovery was obtaining reliable health care. While she initially received emergency prescription service through UCM's Basic Needs program, Carmen's Housing Counselor referred her to a health program for ongoing medical assistance.

Of critical importance to Carmen was getting formal custody of her son. Carmen's UCM Housing Counselor led her through the maze of paperwork required to not only request custody, but also receive child support from her ex-husband. Both applications were granted.

Throughout this time, Carmen had been accessing another important service critical to the path toward independence: UCM's Workforce Development Center (WDC). WDC's Employment Counselors helped her with the application to a Certified Nurses' Assistant training program. She also enrolled in free WDC computer classes, built a resume, and learned interview techniques. Armed with these new employment skills, Carmen landed a full-time administrative job at a local nursing facility and began the last phase of her transition to independence.

After two years of intensive case management and help, Carmen and her son graduated from Journeys. They are now living independently in an apartment. They are very active at church. Her son, who is now seven, gets good grades in school, but he enjoys being home with his mom the most. "I am very happy now," Carmen told her counselor in a recent follow up conversation. "UCM truly changed my life."

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.