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Mom Escapes Abuse, Kids Thrive
Robert was watching when his mentally ill, drug-addicted father abused his mother, Eliza. Later, he saw Eliza get hit by her new boyfriend. Soon, the 4-year-old was hitting and choking the kids in his pre-school class. But through FAMILYConnections' PrePARE program, Robert is getting individual play therapy and social skills training. Meanwhile, his mother received therapy, and found the strength to leave her abusive partner. Even after she suffered a miscarriage and the death of her mother in the same week, Eliza received support from FAMILYConnections, joining the DREAMS program for domestic violence survivors and their children. Today, Robert is in kindergarten and Eliza is back in school. With support from the Greater Newark Holiday Fund, FAMILYConnections hopes to help them move into their own apartment, and make it a home with bedding, furniture and cleaning supplies.
One Step at a Time to a Better Life
Lisa's husband repeatedly raped her during their five-year marriage. She left him after he tried to take both their lives. Things did not improve in her next relationship, which was also abusive. And this time Lisa had a child. Lisa has left her abusive partner, but starting over has been difficult. Her child has a genetic disorder causing severe physical problems. The child's need for constant care means Lisa can't hold a job. She is now living in temporary transitional housing, but has nowhere to go when this service expires in three weeks. Meanwhile, Lisa continues to battle anxiety and depression stemming from the multiple traumas she has suffered. For help, Lisa turned to the Family Service Bureau of Newark. The agency is connecting her to legal and psychiatric help, medical assistance for her child, and housing and transportation options. These services are supported by the Greater Newark Holiday Fund.
Ex-Addict Saving Others
Sara counsels people fighting drug and alcohol addiction. Not long ago, she was an addict herself. Sara abused drugs and alcohol for 15 years. She was arrested three times for driving under the influence. She was thrown in jail once but never received treatment. Her journey to health began in jail. There, she enrolled in Catholic Charities' Women's Substance Abuse Program, where she faced her addictions, learned about their psychological and physical effects, and committed herself to a drug-free future. After her release, Sara independently entered a drug treatment program. She got a full-time job and attended school in the evenings to earn her counseling certification.
Escape from Domestic Violence
Gail had no time to pack the night she fled her husband’s home. And when she arrived at the domestic violence shelter in New Jersey, it wasn’t just material things she lacked. She had no job, and no marketable skills. She had no health insurance, and no ability to afford the rent on her apartment. All the 29-year-old had was a 3-year-old daughter and the fear of being found by her husband. With help from the Rachel Coalition, a program of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, Gail was able to get health insurance through a state program, as well as legal help and emotional support. Now, the Rachel Coalition is hoping for help from the Greater Newark Holiday Fund so it can give Gail and her child something special for the holidays: a new beginning.
Foster Care for Cocaine Baby
Janine’s mother used cocaine and opiates throughout her entire pregnancy, and never received medical care. As a result, the infant only weighed 3 pounds at birth. Tremors shook her tiny body. She couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t stop crying. Then she was taken in by a loving foster family, specially trained by Children’s Aid and Family Services to help medically fragile children. Her foster parents and siblings monitored her constantly, took her to her many specialists and therapists, fed her the special high-calorie formula she needed to grow, and showered her with affection. Now, at 7 months, Janine has reached a healthy weight and is developmentally on track. Her mother still struggles with health problems and drug abuse, but her foster family would love to adopt her if she cannot return to her birth family. Support for foster families like these are made possible by donations from the Greater Newark Holiday Fund.
Battered Woman Rebuilds Life
G.Z. met her husband in the United States after she emigrated from Peru. She thought his domineering, possessive attitude would fade after their marriage. It didn’t. Days after suffering a miscarriage, G.Z. was beaten and sexually assaulted by her husband. Her in-laws refused to intervene. The abuse continued until, after giving birth to the couple’s daughter, G.Z. found the courage to call the police. But the trauma didn’t end there. A few months later, G.Z.’s husband tried to kill her, leaving her battered in the middle of a road. Today, G.Z. is trying to build a life for herself and her child. With the help of Catholic Charities, she has been able to get a work permit and is trying to obtain a green card so she can become a lawful permanent resident. Catholic Charities staff and volunteers say they admire G.Z. for the strength and courage she showed throughout her ordeal and are trying to help her build a good life in the United States. They are able to offer this assistance thanks in part to support from the Greater Newark Holiday Fund.
Helping a Rape Victim
Settee was overjoyed when she was hired by a company that places nannies in the U.S. For the young Brazilian woman, the job was a chance to have an adventure abroad before returning home for college. But Settee’s dreams were dashed within weeks of her arrival when the parents who had hired her decided to separate, and the mother moved out of state. Homeless and jobless, Settee moved to a friend’s apartment in New Jersey, where she planned to stay briefly until she found another placement. One day, as she was walking back to the apartment, a man approached. Brandishing a gun, he forced her into an alleyway and raped her. Settee didn’t know where to turn. She had no money, no family and no insurance. Her friend insisted that she go to the emergency room, where Settee was met by a rape care advocate from the Family Service League. Settee’s advocate stayed with her throughout the next difficult hours, helping her understand her options. Taking her advocate’s advice, she made an appointment with the Family Service League and continues to meet weekly with her therapist as she pieces her life and dreams back together. |
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