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Stories & News

Survivor stories

Survivor stories shared with permission, in their own words.

Before you watch. These videos talk about domestic violence and abuse. Watch when it feels right for you. Quick Exit stays at the top of the page.

Length 4:40

Zanathia: Full Circle

As a child, Zanathia stayed in our safe house while her mother found the courage to rebuild. Fifteen years later she is back as the trusted adult she once needed, sitting with children through their hardest moments.

Length 4:12

Gwendolyn Turnbough: From Loss to Legacy

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey remembers her mother, Gwendolyn, who was killed by her estranged husband in 1985. The reckoning that followed led to our founding in 1986.

This story talks about the death of a woman at the hands of her former husband.

Length 4:53

Samira’s Story: Finding Safety, Friendship, and Herself

Samira was 13 when she came to our safe house with her mother and younger sisters. Through our child and youth programs she found safety, real friends and the freedom to be a kid again.

The Power of Community

Shared at Champions for Change 2024: survivors, families and neighbors on how a community that believes you, shows up and stays makes healing possible.

Length 4:48

Chloe’s Journey Home

Chloe came to our safe house with her son. With hard work and our transitional housing program she built a new life, and in less than five years she became a homeowner.

Length 4:01

Tamara’s Story

A mother will do anything to keep her children safe. Tamara shares the step into the unknown she took to protect hers, leaving everything else behind.

Length 6:00

Najla’s Story

Najla describes how quickly her relationship moved from bliss to stalking, threats and violence, and why the effects of abuse do not always have a neat and tidy ending.

Length 2:26

Po and Charnte in Conversation

Po and Charnte talk about their time with us and why they continue to be part of this family.

Length 4:16

Po’s Story

Po’s journey took her from 20 years of fear to a life lived on her own terms.

Length 5:08

Charnte’s Story

From a fairy tale marriage to our safe house, Charnte took the reins and built exactly the home she wanted for herself and her children.

More stories, in their own voices

SISTERs Stories is our podcast. Survivors talk about their lives and the many paths to healing.

Listen to the podcast