At its very worst, Anita says life was very dark. She felt unloved, confused, hurt, and betrayed. Anita grew up in a home where her dad beat her mother. Then, in turn, her mother beat Anita. “I decided that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” As a result, Anita turned to drugs to numb the pain.
While dating, the cycle of abuse continued. She believed that abuse was part of being loved – until she became homeless with her young daughter. It was at this point that Anita reached for help through the Partnership.
“The staff at Partnership gave me hope.” She continued, “I am so grateful for this program because they stepped in when nobody else would. It was safe haven for my daughter and me. They not only gave us a roof over our heads, but helped us with a place to live, paid my deposit and furnished our home with beds and stuff you would need when you first move into your place. They even helped me with Christmas. This program is God sent.”
“This program is amazing. They offer so many resources; they even offer therapy and all the tools you need to give you the strength and courage to continue living life when you feel like all odds are against you.”
“Having such an experience in my life has made a major impact on me to want to help people in abusive relationships. That’s my passion – to serve people and to help and protect as much as I can on my end, and to share my story to encourage someone. If God did it for me, he can do it for you,” she adds.
Today, Anita expresses her gratitude by financially supporting Partnership when she’s able. “I’m doing good,” she reports, adding that she’s still in the fight. “I’m in a better place, one and a half years clean – no alcohol or drugs.” For strength, Anita has turned to faith. “It’s like learning how to walk again,” stating that her family nearly loved her to death, but Jesus has loved her back to life. “Now everything has changed. I am going on two years clean, working two jobs and going to school.”
When asked about her hope for the future, Anita tells us she hopes to publish her story. “It needs to be told,” she says.
Breaking the cycle of abuse is difficult, especially for those who have never been shown they are worthy of being loved, and that love doesn’t have to hurt. The cycle of generational abuse can be broken, with time, the proper tools, and support.
