The Team
Survivor Voices
Our Stories Connect Us
Gemma
New Mom & Thriver
Gemma came to Branches fleeing abuse — isolated, pregnant, and without medical care. Her partner withheld the keys of their family car, not even allowing her to learn to drive, and then would not allow Gemma to go to the doctor to obtain care for their unexpected new family member. But Gemma says that she found more than shelter when she worked up the courage to leave the situation; she found empowerment.
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In the comfort and safety of her room at Branches, she met with a Doula. She was able to chose her own doctors for the first time. She proudly obtained her first library card to learn about motherhood. She passed her driver’s permit test, taking steps toward independence.
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When she decided that moving home to her supportive
family was the safest choice, Branches helped her
transfer her benefits & make the move safely.
Gemma has stayed connected with us, sending joyful updates — ultrasound pictures, her first apartment,
and finally, our favorite: a beautiful photo of a smiling mother holding her happy, healthy baby boy!
Samantha
Home for the Holidays
When Samantha and her two children arrived at Branches last December, the world outside was filled with twinkling lights and holiday songs-but their hearts were heavy. They had fled in the middle of the night, leaving behind everything familiar except each other.
At the shelter, they found warmth, a decorated tree in the living room, and a table where other families were sharing hot cocoa and laughter. For the first time in a long time, Samantha felt something she hadn't felt in years-peace.
With support from her advocate, she began rebuilding her life, and by spring, she and her children had a home of their own.
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Michael
Survivor
When Michael came to Branches, he was scared — not only because of what he’d been through, but because he worried no one would believe him. As a man experiencing domestic violence, he felt invisible in a system he feared wouldn’t see his pain or protect his rights. With the support of Branches advocates who utilized our resource referral system, Michael began to navigate a complex custody process with some help from Legal Aid.
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Through one-on-one sessions with Branches’ licensed social worker, Michael found space to work through fear and shame, rebuild confidence, and focus on creating safety for himself and his child. Today, he shares that reaching out for help was one of the hardest — and most important — decisions he’s ever made.
Aaliyah
Courageous Caller
Aaliyah came to the Putnam County shelter in the middle of the night. Her husband was becoming increasingly violent, and she was afraid that if she stayed another minute that it might be the difference between life and death. She had been putting up with his tirades for years, but tonight things just felt different. She told us "he had that look in his eyes--the one you just know isn't going to end well for you."
Because the Putnam County shelter operates a 24/7 hotline, Aaliyah was able to sneak into her car and make the call at 3am. After speaking with the advocates, she was able to leave immediately to seek shelter. Leaving so abruptly didn’t give her much time to plan, so over the course of the next few weeks the Case Manager helped her to connect with some mainstream services and to find a job. It felt like starting over from nothing on every little detail of her life.
It took some time, but with the help of our Rapid Rehousing program, Aaliyah was able to find an affordable, safe new apartment and to move forward into a life safe from harm.
Why We Share These Stories
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At Branches, we believe that every survivor’s story has the power to create understanding, inspire hope, and strengthen our community’s commitment to safety and healing. Sharing these stories helps others know they are not alone — and reminds us all why this work matters.
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If you would like to share your own story of strength and survival, we invite you to reach out to our Director of Development at blevins@branchesdvs.org
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*All names and identifying details have been changed to protect the confidentiality and safety of our survivors.