Just wanted to take a few minutes to let everyone know about a place that saved my life. The YWCA of Glendale gave me a chance to start my life the way it should be. When leaving my house 3 years ago I would have never thought I'd find a place to help me start over.

The YWCA gave me the chance to go to school. Now I have an amazing job with benefits, paid time off and an awesome salary. The YWCA also offered me and my family counseling and a lot of help with case management.

Coming from a place where I had no control over my life, the YWCA taught me to make good choices and set boundaries. I know I will never be a victim again. I truly owe my life and my success to the YWCA and the staff and lets not forget the kindness and awesomeness. They truly cares about everybody that passes through the doors at the YWCA. I now have my dream job and live with my two boys in a beautiful 3bd apartment in a nice neighborhood and owe it to everyone at the YWCA. I hope this letter gets to someone who needs to see it and they get the help they need. Cause believe it or not it's out there. Love to all at the YWCA.

-J.

                      August 30, 2007

When I first left the sperm donor of my children (the batterer), I had nothing. Maybe one or two of my basic needs were met. I did not have any self-esteem, I had no goals; I didn't even have my children. I was so scared and felt so alone. I had no clue where I was going or what I was supposed to do. Thankfully, I was accepted into the Sunrise Village Shelter and slowly but surely I was able to piece my life back together.

The case manager at the time, named Leslie, told me something I would never forget. She told me that when she looked at me, she saw a girl who was trying so hard to carry all the pieces of my puzzle instead of laying each one of them down, one at a time. Never in my life have I ever heard a more true description of myself, and that very moment was the beginning of a new me. A much more improved me.

Thanks to the staff of Sunrise Village, the Women's Service Center, the Glendale YWCA and Hamilton Court (as well as the other women participating in the program) I got my children back, I began working and going back to school to be a paralegal. And now I am so proud to say that I will be moving into my own apartment on Saturday, September 1. Looking back on all that I have accomplished, I know that most if not all of it wouldn't have happened if not for the love, patience, faith and kindness this program has provided...!

The only goals I still need to complete are to get a car and to finish school so that I can be a paralegal and do what I can to help those in need. Going through this program has helped me realize how important it is to reach out a helping hand to others who truly need it, especially when they feel as lost and hopeless as I did in the beginning.

I am forever indebted to this program for showing me how to turn my life around, and I know I will never forget this life changing experience.  My gratitude far exceeds any earthly value. May God bless each and every member of this program, and I truly pray that each woman who comes through the program is as fortunate as I have been.  I am more empowered now than I’ve ever been, and I know I can do anything. I have this program to thank for that.

Sincerely,
B.