A Place of Healing – A Voice of Hope.

Amy’s Story of Hope & Healing

My name is Amy. I am a single mother and a survivor of domestic violence. I grew up in a middle-class family. My father was a serviceman in the military. My mother was a nurse. I knew their marriage wasn’t perfect, but they had a strong relationship. I never saw myself becoming a victim of domestic violence. I was too smart, too strong, and too independent. I met him when I was 25 and he seemed perfect. We had our first child one year later. It wasn’t until we had our second child when he began hitting me. One day while we were cooking, we got into an argument and he slapped me. He started crying and apologizing, saying he would never do that to me again. I believed him. Eventually, he hit me again and the abuse became worse. I would find my two frightened children, hiding and crying under their blankets when their father would yell. I loved this man but we needed to leave, and that was easier said than done. Where would we go? How would we get there?

“I loved this man but we needed to leave, and that was easier said than done.”

“My 10-year-old made a sign that read ‘Please Help’ and put it in the rear windshield. Soon after, the police pulled us over.”

One day when we were all in the car, he began yelling vile, disgusting things about me to our children. At this moment, I prayed for a way out. The yelling turned physical, scaring our children once again. My 10-year-old made a sign that read “Please Help” and put it in the rear windshield. Soon after, the police pulled us over. The police made him leave, and this was our opportunity to leave. We never returned to our house. We got on the first train out of the city, which took us to St. Louis. It wasn’t until we arrived in St. Louis that I noticed how the violence had affected my children. They were not the carefree, loving children they once were. They fell behind in school due to their depression and anxiety. After staying in a shelter, we came to Lydia’s House. Our time at Lydia’s House has given us the privacy of living alone as a family, while providing support through our healing, every step of the way. Lydia’s House provided my family with the opportunity to restructure our lives, safely and effectively. With the help from the advocates at Lydia’s House, my children are now thriving and outgoing as they once were. I was able to find a part-time job that eventually turned into a great career. Our new life would not have been possible without the help from Lydia’s House. Thank you!

Read more of our Stories of Hope. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support the residents of Lydia’s House, please click here.

“Our new life would not have been possible without the help from Lydia’s House.”

If you are interested in donating or would like more information about Lydia’s House,

please contact our development coordinator at (314) 771-4411 or development@lydiashouse.org.

Amy’s Story of Hope & Healing

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