Rebecca is a 22-year-old survivor of intimate partner violence that started when she was just 16. After high school, Rebecca moved from Texas to D.C. with her boyfriend to enroll in college and find a job, but she was unable to maintain her studies and employment due to the abuse inflicted upon her. Rape and physical abuse was a regular occurrence in her home, and often times what her abuser considered “punishment” resulted in her being tortured sexually, mentally, psychologically, and financially.
In a new city, all alone, Rebecca struggled to find a local support system and ended up homeless, spending most nights in local libraries. That was until she found a My Sister's Place brochure in a library. After an initial assessment with a MSP Social Worker, Rebecca was transported safely to our shelter. At Sanctuary Plus, Rebecca found peers she could relate to, and was connected to specialized mental health services. After just one month, she felt safe and stable enough to work with her case manager to finish her last semester in community college, with only 3 credits left. While applying for classes Rebecca learned that she was not eligible for financial aid. Through the support of generous donors, My Sister’s Place was able to pay for her remaining 3 credits. She is now looking forward to earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing and finding a career in the tech industry. We are looking forward to continuing to work alongside Rebecca on her journey to finding permanent housing, through our RISE program and by continuing to provide aftercare services. Way to go, Rebecca!
