Shelly’s story

Shelly’s* boyfriend was an abuser - he even served time in jail for attacking her. After he was released, he convinced her it would be different. It didn’t take long for him to break that promise. While her two small children were away visiting her ex-husband over Christmas break, Shelly came looking for shelter at The Salvation Army.

Shelly’s story is all to familiar to the case managers at the shelter . According to the FBI, one in every four women will be abused by her boyfriend or husband in her lifetime. And of the over 1,700 women and children served by our shelter in 2008, over 80% of them were fleeing abuse!

But Shelly was ready to break the cycle of abuse in her life. When space came available at our domestic violence shelter, she moved in. Her ex-husband even brought her children to stay with her. That’s when things started looking up for Shelly.

During her stay at the shelter, she enrolled our Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) and took full advantage of all of the programs available to her. She began exercising at the YMCA, participating in domestic violence therapy, and even secured both a job and an apartment. 

We’re pleased to share that Shelly and her kids left the shelter this past Saturday.  But that’s not the last we’ll see of them. Shelly’s enrolled in the shelter’s Continuing Support Program and will continue to meet with her case manager and receive counseling and basic needs assistance. 

Your support makes it possible to help the Shellys in our community. When you give to The Salvation Army, your dollars are used to provide a safe place for women and children fleeing domestic violence, and the counseling and classes that give women the resources and the confidence to break the cycle of abuse. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of women and children right here in Indianapolis!

If you’d like to learn more about our programs and how you can help out, contact Julia Sipes (224-1067) at our Social Service Center. And, of course, if you’d like to donated to help women like Shelly start fresh, go here.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.