In March, I found myself in a position I never imagined I would be in: I became a victim of domestic violence.

There is a particular kind of fear that comes with realizing that the person or situation you once trusted has become unsafe. I was scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what the next chapter of my life was going to look like. I knew I needed to get somewhere safe, but starting over came with obstacles I simply did not know how I was going to overcome.

That is where Simon’s Outreach Recovery stepped in.

Their team helped me with the down payment for an apartment, assistance with the deposit to have electricity turned on, and furniture so that I would have an actual bed and a place to sleep rather than starting over on the floor. These may sound like practical things, but to me, they represented something much bigger: safety, stability, dignity, and the ability to begin rebuilding my life.

What meant just as much as the assistance itself was the way the team treated me throughout the process. They were incredibly kind, compassionate, and supportive. They never made me feel ashamed of what had happened to me. They never made me feel like a burden for asking for help. Most importantly, they never made me feel defined by the fact that I had become a victim of domestic violence.

Instead, they treated me like a person who was going through an incredibly difficult moment and deserved help getting back on her feet.

When you are already frightened and trying to find your way out of an abusive situation, having someone respond with compassion instead of judgment can mean more than words can express. Simon’s Outreach Recovery gave me practical help when I desperately needed it, but they also gave me something equally important: the reassurance that I did not have to face that moment completely alone.

I will always be grateful for the kindness and support they showed me during one of the most frightening and uncertain periods of my life. Because of their help, I was able to have a safe place to call home, electricity, furniture, and—most importantly—the opportunity to begin moving forward.

Thank you to everyone at Simon’s Outreach Recovery for seeing me as a person, not a problem, and for helping me take those first steps toward a safer and more stable future. What you did for me mattered deeply, and I will never forget it.

K.