“Trauma is not always visible, and it’s easy to get lost.”  

They learn how to gain control over you, get inside your head, and make you feel less than what you really are. I don’t want nobody to ever be in that position, definitely not one of my girls.  

When things started to cave in on me, I went to a local homeless shelter, and from there my caseworker connected me with GreenHouse17. I was very humbled to realize how bad of a situation I was in with him. It helped me to realize he was a toxic person.  

I was able to transition into an apartment on the backside of the facility, and from that moment things started getting better for me.   

A door was opening, which made it possible for me to go back to school and get my Medical Administrative Assistant and EHR certificate. I’m very proud that I graduated in October.  

Though at first, there were a lot of issues because I didn’t have a car. I tried Uber for a bit, but it wasn’t working out. I was able to get a car on payments, and I just paid it off.  

The more power I get back, the more I am able to do for myself.   

Every part of the program was helpful. It is what me and my girls needed. It brings me joy to spend time with my kids. We love watching movies and going to church together. We’re now in pageants together, so we have been doing a lot of those lately.   

I really want to make a difference for anybody that’s been through domestic violence like me. 

I want people who’ve been through my struggle to know that it gets better. You deserve your happiness.  

This is only part of Rose’s story, in her own words, shared with her permission.