My Nonprofit Reviews

As a victim of a terribly violent assault I felt I had lost my voice. Everything around me seemed to be suffocating me. I was completely overwhelmed by what had happened to me, how it was handled, and how to move on afterwards. I didn't know how to talk to anyone about what I was going through and dealing with. I sank into a depression and just kept it all inside. I didn't know where to turn. Then someone mentioned Safe Places and their group meetings to me. I was very reluctant at first. I had already been visiting a counselor elsewhere and still felt very alone. But, I decided to come to the group and see. I'm so happy that I did. From the very first meeting I didn't feel so terribly alone anymore. Each woman there had a different story, but we were all going through some of the same emotions. Depression, shame, disbelief, fear, anger. We were all carrying some of the same burdens. Our group facilitator was fantastic with helping us talk openly about our feelings, about the pain, about our fears, about all of what we were dealing with. Each week as I listened to these courageous women talk about their feelings I began to feel less and less suffocated, less alone. Eventually I was even able to start sharing my own feelings. I am still healing and learning to cope with what happened to me. It's a process and a journey. But, I am getting my life back, my voice back, and even my smile back. Safe Places started me on that journey. I am saddened that the groups have had to stop, but am in hopes that someday they can continue again. I will continue my journey on my own for now, stronger because of the help I received at Safe Places. Thank you so much to the staff and volunteers at Safe Places, for without you I'd still be alone and weak. Thank you for helping me to find my voice again.

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