Every few months, WRC likes to share the story of a woman using our services who is creating an amazing life for herself after leaving an abuser. 
This is Shonda's story.

Shonda came into the safehouse with cigarette burns on her forehead and back because her boyfriend had burned her while she slept. Living with him was not her first choice, but she had few other options because of poor credit and a previous eviction. Once she got settled in the safehouse, we ordered her credit reports from all three agencies. There were a number of medical bills, which we successfully disputed because she had insurance at the time of her illness. There was an old utility bill that Shonda paid off. The reports also had the information we needed to contact her former landlord. Her biggest obstacle to living on her own was the eviction from more than 10 years ago. Shonda had her eye on subsidized housing but the leasing agent said she could not be approved with a previous eviction. Together, we contacted the landlord and asked if he would accept a settlement. He agreed. Shonda paid half and Women's Resource Center paid

half. The landlord wrote and notarized a letter stating that the matter was resolved. Shonda took the letter to Fulton County State Court so that it could be entered and reported to the credit bureaus. With the matter settled, Shonda was accepted by the apartment community.

Few people have more determination than Shonda. She has worked tirelessly to complete her primary goals of finding permanent housing and earning her GED. We will be cheering for her when she takes the test later this month. If all goes well, by August 1st she will have her GED and the keys to a safe home of her own.