Adrian W., a 53 year old Jamaican female, left an abusive marriage of 5 years to come into shelter. Her husband was an extremely controlling alcoholic. He did not want her to work, did give her money to run the household, and bought her a vehicle that needed work and was not dependable. He required her to do everything around the house and did not help her. He expected her to keep the grass cut, but would not give her money for gas for the mower. His pregnant niece and child lived with them. Adrian was expected to cook and clean up after them as well. When she asked him to speak to the niece about helping around the house, his answer was to kick her out of the house telling her it was Adrian’s fault that she had to leave.
     The day she left, he became angry because he checked her phone calls and saw that she had called an unfamiliar number. She had called about an ad for a car – hoping to find one more dependable than hers. He accused her of cheating on him. He took a baseball bat and shattered the glass in her grandfather’s china cabinet – a precious heirloom that she had brought with her from her native country. He then threatened to kill her with the bat. He wanted her to confess to having an affair that she was not having. She said she was going to call the police and he told her that she would be dead before they got there. Her car was still in his name. He gave her the keys and said that he was going to report it stolen if she left in it. She did leave, but went to his mother’s house. She convinced Adrian to contact us. Adrian called our 24 hour crisis line. The next day she met with our Legal Advocate to file a TPO and then came into shelter. Her only reservation was leaving her beloved pet, Lexie, a Chihuahua that she had for many years. Her mother-in-law kept the dog for a few days until we could work something out. We contacted the humane society to see if she could be adopted out. Adrian could not bear the thought of being separated from her pet and even contemplated returning home.  She loved Lexie like a child. We decided she could bring her pet to the shelter and made arrangements so she could be kept outside.
     Adrian was planning to stay until the TPO hearing and then ask her sister in another town if she could live with her. We planned to arrange outreach advocacy with a shelter in that town. Her sister told her she was terrified of dogs and Adrian would not be able to bring her pet. After discussing this problem with our staff, it was decided that the best route for her was to stay in shelter and work our program. When the day come for the TPO hearing, Adrian was terrified at the thought of seeing her husband again, and expressed her gratitude that two staff members were able to accompany her. The TPO was extended for a year, she was awarded the car she was driving and her husband gave her a letter telling her he was sorry and wanted to get back together.
     Adrian stayed firm in her resolve to start over. She quickly adapted to shelter life. She was helpful, cooperative and got along well with other residents. She applied for every available job and contacted schools about CNA training.  Always looming in the back of her mind was the question of what she would do with Lexie while she worked or went to school.  While waiting to hear from her contacts, she took the initiative to start working in the yards. She weeded, planted flowers, cut grass, and trimmed shrubs. Anything that needed to be done, she volunteered to do it.
     A friend of a staff member contacted our agency to see if we knew of anyone who could be a “live-in” caretaker for their elderly father. All the staff agreed that Adrian would be perfect for the job. She interviewed with the family and they hired her on the spot. They agreed that Lexie could come and live with her. Adrian said the job was perfect for her. The man reminded her of her own father whom she had quit her job to take care of before his death.  She moved in with the family and is doing very well. She wants to return to the shelter as a volunteer. Her dream is to return to Heart Haven as a staff member one day. We believe she is well on the way to achieving that dream.