The tipping point was the day she couldn’t afford a bus ticket because he controlled all the bank accounts. For several months Lorrie had desperately contemplated ways to move her family away from her abusive husband. And things were getting continually worse. The constant yelling; the fits of rage; the hidden bruises.
Most of the time it was directed at her, and she tried to justify the outbursts. Often she wondered if he was right when he said those terrible things…”Maybe I don’t work hard enough. Maybe I shouldn’t be talking to my next-door neighbour. Maybe I am too stupid to get a job,” she thought.
But when the abuse was directed towards their 6 year-old son Josh and their 4-year old daughter Julie, Lorrie knew it wasn’t right. Often when she looked in the mirror at night she felt defeated…and when she saw that same look in her children’s eyes, she knew it was time to make a change. But without a dollar to her name, and no access to a bank account or credit card, she felt like she was imprisoned in her own home. That’s when she came to Nellie’s.
When Lorrie, Josh and Julie came to us last year they had no where else to turn. Lorrie arrived on our doorstep with a gym bag on her shoulder and a child in each hand. But the look on her face was one of determination and resolve – she knew she was taking the first steps towards a better life for herself and her children.
Working with Nellie’s counsellors, Lorrie was able to slowly open up about the abuse she’d experienced and start the healing process for herself and her family. Although the change was difficult for Josh and Julie, with the support of Nellie’s Children’s Advocate they were able to continue attending school and looked forward to coming home to the shelter where there were always fun activities waiting for them.
While Lorrie thought that coming to a shelter meant that she was failing her family, the support and encouragement she received meant Lorrie could continue to be a strong leader and a caring mother to her children. Today, Lorrie, Josh and Julie are doing well. Thanks to the support she received at Nellie’s, Lorrie found gainful employment and a safe place to raise her family. This year will be the best Mother’s Day she’s ever had.
A donation in honour of your own mother or someone special could be the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Please donate now to help women like Lorrie and all the moms staying at Nellie’s shelter have a Happy Mother’s Day.
