Breaking the Silence

Maria is in need of our help!

Who is Maria you may ask?

A survivor of repetitive violent domestic abuse who has overcome an abusive relationship and has navigated out of a place that was trafficking and exploiting children who were orphaned and abused all the while parenting two children and seeking safety. Maria was seeking asylum after years of abuse and violence in her home, she was courageous enough to call for help and was taken into a facility where she was suppose to be receiving refuge but soon discovered with her two children the harsh reality within two weeks of their stay at the orphanage. This beautiful family feared for their lives and now too were experiencing the cruel and corrupt treatment the other children were receiving. In knowing Maria’s situation and circumstances, she was taken advantage of and instilled with fear as she was threatened not to ever speak of what was happening in the facility promising her consequences such as losing her life and her babies too. This would be a nightmare to anyone but even more so to a sweet mother or two, this is not okay!!! Maria knowing something must be done, used her bravery to cry out for help yet again!!! The abuse of the facility was confirmed with cruel and harsh labor, slavery of the families and the children who were exploited. Saddened to say, this place failed her and so did the Mexican authorities. She was desperate for help and knew she couldn’t be silent as she and her children were victims of more abuse but this time it also involved more innocent children being sex trafficked and forced to labor.

This brave women is from Mexico and had endured years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse that no one should ever have to go through. She didn’t get the help she needed from the system. The justice system unfortunately in Mexico has continually failed to respond and take such abuse seriously. One would think, these criminals should be arrested!! Placed behind bars far away from hurting more innocent people but this hasn’t been the case as they continue to neglect survivors who call upon help from the authorities! Frequently these authorities prove to be wholly inadequate and discriminatory. 

Maria took another chance as she saw an opportunity with us at Seeds of Hope during a discreet visit to the orphanage. In doing so, her and her family have found themselves to be survivors as safety matters have been taken into action!!!

After being paralyzed by fear and manipulation to shut down her voice for so many years, she is now overcome such fears by using her voice even louder in hope for others to know and believe that it is possible to overcome both trauma and domestic abuse as well as the injustice of the system. She is using her experiences to help others in showing that there is a way out by stepping out in faith in order to be rescued. It was believed by her that eventually she would be heard by someone who cared enough for justice to prevail. With such faith, this nightmare took a turn leading to her rescue.

Her story is of power, heartbreak, justice and is truly inspiring. Through Seeds of Hope (a nonprofit organization), we have rescued Maria and have taken her and her family into custody witnessing their recovery. Our mission is to see women not only have the safety they need but to also help them transition into full recovery and healing. Both Maria and her children have been completely devoted in their healing with us. We have been given permission by her to become her stewards of justice as we share her story only in hopes of your partnership with us.

The intersection of domestic violence, homelessness, and housing insecurity is undeniable, as lack of safe and affordable housing is often reported as one of the primary barriers survivors of domestic violence face when they choose to leave an abuse. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and their children. Although safe housing can provide a pathway to freedom, there are many barriers that prevent Maria and other survivors from obtaining or maintaining safe and affordable housing. The majority of survivors experience financial abuse, meaning that they have not had access to the family finances, and have been prohibited from working, in our case Maria has transitioned and is working due to her situation and safety being a priority. Victims may also face discrimination in accessing or maintaining housing based on the violent or criminal actions of perpetrators. Additionally, victims are limited in the locations and types of housing they can access because of their unique safety and confidentiality needs. Many housing or homelessness assistance programs have barriers that inadvertently exclude victims of violence.

With your help, we are determined to raise enough funds to help this beautiful family transition into a permanent healthy home.

Every home should be a safe home.

We need to promote flexible systems that truly support the courageous survivors who flee violence, increase the availability of affordable housing, and ensure that no survivor is evicted because of the perpetrator’s actions. Thus far, Seeds of Hope has been able to provide short term solutions which range of options like emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing. We have an understanding that survivors need living-wage jobs, access to benefits, access to child care, financial education, and job training. We are in need of consistent, stable funding for domestic violence programs that are poised to provide many of these options. She has moved into her own home and in helping Maria move forward this will allow her to be stronger, independent and secure of herself. Unfortunately, she did not have family or friends nearby to rely on for support. She is currently renting a single studio for her little family and have been in hiding for 3 years now.

Seeds of Hope has helped Maria and continues to offer support and encouragement as she makes the challenging transition to independence.

Her life has changed dramatically through the course of 3 years, our supportive services has offered her and her children each day the opportunity to be in a safe home, excited by their bright future providing finances for her kids education and her work ethics.

Everyone everywhere deserves a place to call home. Your partnership in all of this would be by donating to Seeds of Hope (a nonprofit organization). Your donation of grand or small amount would allow access for a down payment and closing costs on a beautiful permanent home for this family. It would be a dream come true with a happy ending to such trauma and a new beginning for a better future. Your support can also help us reach our goal of helping more families in similar circumstances achieve homeownership; and the empowering of individuals filling them back up with lots of love and HOPE! In unity, more can be done, goals can be reached, and lives forever changed. Let’s be the change for them! I welcome you into partnership with your donation today.