Kristin paused to gather her thoughts and then bravely walked through the glass door marked "Family Stabilization". She was nervous and worried, but hoped this would finally be the beginning of a better life for her and her daughters, Jordan, age 13 and Ava, age 11. She walked up to the reception window and said "I have an appointment to see Kelly."

Just a few weeks earlier she had made one of the biggest decisions of her life. After suffering through years of physical abuse by her husband, she grabbed a few necessary items for her and her daughters, and escaped while he was away from home. She felt the only way to be safe was to have as much distance as possible between her and her husband, so she decided to move from North Carolina to Florida. She reached out to friends in Tampa who allowed her and her daughters to move in.

It wasn't long after moving to Tampa that she realized that her new living situation posed a new type of threat. Her friends were using drugs and trying to involve her in their lifestyle. Kristin didn't know anyone else in Tampa, so she moved temporarily into a homeless shelter.  This is where she learned about the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and financial case management assistance available through the Family Stabilization department.

Kelly carefully listened to Kristin and helped her develop a short-term and long-term plan to help her stabilize her financial situation. Kristin was diligent in seeking employment and was soon able to secure two jobs along with an affordable apartment. Kelly arranged for payment of the security deposit; found several generous individuals to donate furniture and kitchen items and then connected Kristin to counseling to help her begin healing from the emotional trauma she and her girls experienced at the hands of her ex-husband.

Kristin, Jordan, and Ava are now safe and healthy this holiday season. Your support of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay allows Family Stabilization and additional services to be available to families during their time of crisis. You can learn more about how the Crisis Center provides help, hope and healing to people by taking a lunchtime tour. To see upcoming tour dates, click HERE.