Escaping Abuse, Rebuilding Hope: A Mother’s Path to Independence

This story is about “member S,” a courageous Middle Eastern immigrant woman who escaped an abusive marriage and now cares for her 2-year-old daughter. After being forced to return to her home country, she sought assistance from the U.S. Embassy to return to the U.S., but arrived with nothing, no resources, no family support, and facing ongoing threats from her partner and his family. Feeling trapped, she saw no path out of her marriage.

We worked with S to help her rebuild. Together, we secured shelter, arranged transportation, and applied for essential welfare benefits, including cash aid and food stamps. To ensure their safety, we filed restraining orders to legally protect her and her daughter. We connected her with a housing navigator where she was able to find and move into a home with her daughter, and we are currently working on applications to enroll her in college and English-language courses. We’re also building her resume and applying for jobs to support her path toward financial independence.

Additionally, we arranged doctor’s appointments for S and her daughter to ensure their health needs are addressed and scheduled regular follow-ups. To support her emotional well-being, we referred and scheduled both of them for mental health services through LTF.

Today, S is in a safe environment, healthy, and surrounded by resources and support systems. She is legally protected and has representation through LTF for her upcoming court cases. She is. She secured a work opportunity with LTF’s sewing program doing what she loves. and is gaining the skills she needs for independence: learning English, and preparing to get her driver’s license.