When Beverly called the Crisis hotline, she explained that her abuser was being released from jail. She knew he was angry and would be searching for her. She was fearful because he knew where she lives, where the children attend school, and where her mother lives, as well. He had threatened to get her when he got out of jail.
“There are lots of people like me who are afraid to say something about their situation. I endured my abuse until I decided ‘no more’ and reached out for help,” says Beverly.
Before calling Partnership, Beverly had fled her home with her children and hid out for an entire month, ducking and dodging her abuser, sometimes staying in motels and her mother’s house, hoping that the abuser would be afraid to come there.
During that time, Beverly spent over $500 in application fees trying to obtain housing, only to be turned down.
According to Beverly, “When you’re going through a situation like mine, you don’t know who to trust. Will they keep their word or not?”
Fortunately, she called Partnership’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline services where she found case managers that kept their word, and that meant a lot to her.
The case manager was able to help her locate safe, affordable housing and apply for assistance through the City of Chattanooga’s Housing Forward Fund to pay her initial rental housing costs. Within a short time, Beverly was approved so that she and her children could move into their new home.
In gratitude, Beverly hopes to be able to help someone else get resources and to let others know there is someone out there who can help them.
