Support survivors escaping domestic violence

Karina called the Raphael House hotline in a panic. After years of abuse, she had taken her two children and their cat and fled her abusive husband.

With nowhere to go, her family had been living in their car for nearly a week. Karina was terrified he would find them, and because he’d hidden her ID and credit card, she didn’t know where to turn.

After moving into our emergency shelter, Karina’s advocates helped replace what they’d left behind—food and hygiene items, warm jackets, identification cards, and even gifts for her son’s fifth birthday. Once they were safe and had the essentials they needed, Karina shared, “I could breathe again. I could start thinking about the next best thing for my family.”

Our shelter’s Housing Specialist was soon able to connect Karina with resources to cover the cost of housing applications and clear debt that her abuser had racked up in her name. When they were accepted into an apartment two months later, we helped the family get settled and provided them with a move-out kit full of items to furnish their new kitchen and bedrooms. “Finally, we are home,” she said.

Karina has stayed connected with our Advocacy Center, attending tenant education and financial literacy classes. And since the pandemic hit, our advocates have delivered critical supplies to her home including fresh produce, a laptop for schoolwork, and activity kits for the kids.

Karina shared, “I am so thankful for the genuine love and respect Raphael House shows for me and my kids. It’s our ultimate place of safety. Our lives have totally changed and now we’re full of hope.”