“Liza” is a divorcee in her mid thirties with a teenage son. Early in her life, Liza began to experiment with drugs and alcohol and surrounded herself with friends who were on the same destructive path. Through these friends, she met Bob. The relationship soon became violent, and Liza was introduced to a victim advocate through First Step’s court advocacy program. After a few weeks of speaking with the advocate Liza decided to come to First Step for shelter. When she arrived Liza was skeptical about the staff and did not trust that there was any place that she could be safe from her abuser. Once Liza’s immediate need for safe housing was addressed, the real challenge of rebuilding began. After months of physical and mental abuse, Liza no longer believed that she was worthy of the opportunity to begin a life after abuse. With the support and assistance of First Step staff, however, Lisa began to make major strides in repairing her broken self-image. During her time at First Step Liza attended the Passages program, counseling, and Art Therapy. Liza has grown from a terrified, untrusting victim into a woman on the path to rebuilding a life for herself and her son. She recently obtained employment, but had to ride her son’s bike 2.5 miles (one way) to work. Liza disclosed to First Step staff how hard it was to ride her bike to work everyday, and the fear that she felt when a passing car seemed to slow down or look in her direction. What Liza did not know was that as she was expressing these fears, the staff at First Step was preparing a huge surprise!

First Step, in conjunction with St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, facilitates the Car Care Program through which cars are donated and given to clients in domestic violence situations. The program offers the client an opportunity to obtain a car, and in some cases can pay up to six months of insurance. In early October, Liza became the recipient of a car through the Car Care program. Because of the tangible and intangible help she has received from First Step, Liza has begun to establish her independence and make a new life for herself and her son. As Liza thanks us, we in turn thank the United Way for their support. Without it we know that stories like Liza’s would not be possible.