Carla’s husband began raising his voice just after her son’s birth. “First it was put-downs, then over time friends stopped coming around. After that, it was money.” The verbal abuse soon grew into physical and sexual violence, and then, finally, her husband hurt their young son.

Carla called The Center for Women and Families for help and The Center’s advocates found safe, comfortable housing for Carla and her son immediately. We then made sure she got the counseling and advocacy she needed right away.

Weeks later, Carla took part in our Economic Success services. With her Economic Success Counselor’s help, Carla opened an Individual Development Account (IDA) and began saving money for a small business. “I need to be a stay at home mom, so I started a small home business with an online store and catalog.” The Center recently helped Carla apply for a grant to support her company, and she received it. “Saving money for a business is slow going, but you just keep at it and it will work.”