October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to bring greater awareness to the realities many individuals and families face, while remembering that behind every statistic is a person, a parent, a child, a story, and a life worthy of dignity, safety, and hope.
This reality hit close to home for Kelly*, who contacted Safe Families for Children while fleeing a severe domestic violence situation. Desperate for a safe harbor, she needed someone to care for her two young children while she figured out where they would land. As a new single mother with no immediate family to lean on, Kelly felt entirely overwhelmed by the sudden burden of sole parenting and financial survival. Having aged out of the foster care system herself, she was fiercely determined to protect her children from that same destiny.
“I honestly didn’t think that this was for real. I couldn’t believe there were people who would open their homes to strangers to love and care for my children during a difficult time. This was a complete answer from God.”
During those six weeks, Kelly worked tirelessly to build a stable foundation. She earned her professional work certificate, secured a childcare voucher, and arranged short-term housing. This gave her the breathing room she needed to save money for a permanent home. Moved by her resilience, the Childress family’s local church community stepped in to support her journey. They generously covered her apartment deposit and threw her a household shower, equipping Kelly with everything she needed to launch her new independent life.
“I was completely overwhelmed with the love and support of me and my family. Safe Families talks about hospitality, generosity, and compassion, and I received it many times over. I can’t thank them enough. We now have a family I can count on.”
