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Survivor Story: Elizabeth Gough
The following piece was written by survivor Elizabeth Gough. She is sharing her journey towards safety, healing and freedom.
One of my favorite quotes is by J.K Rowling and she said: “Rock bottom is the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” My rock bottom was in early 2010. At the time I was in an abusive marriage, I was 100 lbs. heavier, I was battling an addiction, and I was suicidal. I had tried to leave my abuser 5 times during 2008 to 2010 and kept going back. People asked me why I kept going back and my answer was simple yet complicated. I was scared. I had no plan b. I was a stay at home mom; I had no education, no job skills and no self-esteem. I had been with my abuser since my late teens and I didn’t know anything else.
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Finding Freedom and Healing
Written by: Kayla Hudson, LCSW, WCA Clinician
Leaving an abusive relationship may sound like freedom. In many ways, this brave first step does offer relief. Unfortunately, the reality of intimate partner abuse is that most who choose to leave have a long journey ahead towards healing. For many of our clients, the abuse continues past separation, and the emotional scars are always present.
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Staff Bright Moments
This month we want to share some of the many bright moments our staff have experienced at the WCA.
“A woman came in to the WCA to just share what a difference the WCA made in her life. She came in years ago very unhappy to receive services, and found every time she came in the women she dealt with were consistently warm, friendly and compassionate. She just stopped in to say hello and thank you.”
-Elizabeth Hoene, WCA Administrative Support Specialist
“A bright spot for me was a few months ago. We had a mom who worked a lot of hours. So we would have her kids all day and then she would pick them up right at closing to go finish her work. When it was time for the family to move out the mom came in and talked to me. She started crying and gave me a hug. She told me that having access to the child care made all the difference in the world. She said she was so worried about how her kids were going to cope with the trauma they had lived through, when she needed to leave them to go to work to support them. She said that knowing her kids were safe and that we would not send them away for being sad and angry lifted a huge burden off of her shoulders. I know my job is important and I know it is helpful to the moms. But sometimes it is nice to hear how we specifically helped someone.”
-Afton Mitchell, WCA Child Care Staff
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Teresa with other volunteers and WCA staff at the SueB 5K Walk/Run. Teresa is on the bottom row far left. |
Volunteer Spotlight: Teresa Andrew
Here at the WCA we love to highlight our amazing volunteers! Our work would not be possible without their help and dedication! This month we are highlighting Teresa Andrew who is sharing her personal story on how she came to volunteer at the WCA.
Please share one memory or “bright” spot you have about Sue
My favorite memories of SueB are our many family gatherings for holidays, birthdays, and bar-b-ques. Everyone in the kitchen together, cooking and preparing recipes, sharing stories, and lots of laughing! My mom and SueB were excellent cooks and loved to “feed the masses”. My mom’s favorite gift was (and still is) a cook book SueB brought from her home state, Pennsylvania.
Please describe your journey to becoming a volunteer at the WCA
SueB’s death was suspicious but very obviously the result of domestic violence. Her many friends wanted to show their love and support so they donated monies for memory plaques. There are two plaques in Boise, one in Ann Morrison and one at Memorial Park.
There was money left over and still more coming in as people heard about SueB. After her death, it became more and more obvious that she was truly a victim of domestic violence. The WCA seemed the perfect place to donate the extra funds so others in situations like SueBs could be helped.
More…
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Our community is constantly giving back and supporting our clients on their journey to safety, healing and freedom. We would like to highlight just a few special cases from the month of June. Our work is only possible through the support of our community.
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Donor Spotlight: Supporting Our Littlest Clients
It has been a wonderful summer so far for the children in our programs! Thanks to two wonderful donors, a couple of very important staff “wishes” have been met for our littlest clients.
Steve and Susan Taylor purchased a table and chair set for one of our children’s therapists to use in her new office to make her little clients comfortable. It is important to create spaces where our clients feel safe and comfortable and this donation certainly helps accomplish that. Many thanks to the generosity of the Taylors!
More…
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Our lists of needed items are updated as needed and always available on our website. New items from this list below can be dropped off at the WCA lobby at 720 W Washington St. M-F from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Box Fans – 5 needed
- Crib mattress
- Gently-used washer and dryer
- Gift cards: gas, groceries, household items, facility-related items for any $ amount
- Household mops – 5 needed
- Individually Packaged Foods – Granola bars, Fruit snacks, Pretzels, and Personal size: nut packs, cracker packs, cereal packs
- Potty Training Chairs – 6 needed
- Summer Water and Sand Toys
- Twin Comforters – 20 needed
- Vinyl & zippered twin-size mattresses covers – 20 needed
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Bea Black, Executive Director
The word “freedom” is probably heard more during the month of July than at any other time of the year. During July it comes up often as we talk about our Independence from Britain and we celebrate all those who have sacrificed to make our country and us free. Here at the WCA we talk about freedom all the time as it relates to having the freedom to make individual choices.
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Bev La Chance, Deputy Director
I ran in to a former shelter client recently. Our program policy is to not acknowledge clients in public (confidentiality concerns) unless they choose to acknowledge us. In this case, she readily approached me.
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Upcoming Events
Boise Hawks, Thrivent Financial and the WCA
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Memorial Stadium
Justice League Softball Game
September 17, 2016
More info coming soon!
Power of One Lunch
September 28, 2016
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus
SueB 5K Run/Walk
October 2, 2016
2 p.m. at Julia Davis Park
Kendall Ford Drive for Your Community
October 13, 2016
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kendall Ford
Palette for Hope: A Benefit for the WCA
September 15, 2016
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Art Zone 208
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