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Sharing Her Success

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WRCDV loves sharing the stories of women using our services who are creating amazing lives for themselves after leaving their abusers. This month, Debra has allowed us to share her thoughts about the safehouse and Camp Peace.

 

"I was meant to be here", Debra says of her time at the house. "This time last year I was moving into my own home after so many months. Now I'm volunteering. I never thought about volunteering before I lived here. I like it. It feels like I'm doing as much for myself as I'm doing for others.

 

"A few weeks ago on the way to pick up the kids from Camp Peace, I lost an envelope with my birth certificate and other important papers in it. I felt panicked and frustrated. I started thinking old thoughts that my ex put in my head, like how things will always go wrong for me and maybe I should just give up. Selina asked my daughter to teach me the belly breath they learned in camp to help calm yourself when you are feeling stressed, angry or overwhelmed. In that moment, I remembered the things that really mattered were still true. My family is safe and all those documents can be replaced.

 

"My mom died when I was 17. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it. Sometimes it is very hard and I've made some mistakes. It has been really helpful being around positive people like the WRCDV staff. I want to do things I've never done before so I can have the life I want for myself and my kids. At Camp Peace they experienced different things like Tai Chi, the goat farm and gardening. Now we are planning our first garden at home. We are thinking of planting collards.

 

"The kids really loved Camp Peace. My oldest son is usually the last person dressed every day. He was so excited about camp he was the first person dressed most mornings. Once after a hike he didn't want to do Tai Chi, but he did it anyway. When he finished, he told me he was proud of his diligence. My kids will carry the experience of Camp Peace and the things they learned about themselves there forever.

 

"I just want a normal life, to work, take care of my kids and have them do sports and other activities. I have learned so much and grown so much since I came to WRCDV, it feels like that's possible now. I feel like we are on the right path now and I am proud." We are proud of Debra, too.