We are often
asked about "successes". After nearly
20 years of working with abused and homeless women and children,
I have, I think, learned the indicators of success. I have come
to believe that they are:
Whatever
change that an individual is striving for begins to blossom
It is the
hope that you see on a woman’s face when she talks about
the future
It is the
sparkle returning to the once sad eyes of a child
It is a
woman and her children realizing that they are rich indeed if
they value each other’s love and respect each other’s
personhood
It is a
woman or child saying "I feel safe here"
It is that
beam of achievement that radiates outwardly when a woman is able
to get a car, a job, a home, and she has come to believe that
she is capable of self sufficiency
It is those
times when one woman shares her experiences with another woman
and helps her visualize a life without violence
and abuse
It is that
sticky hug you often get from a child
Success?
It is little steps and it is big steps…but it is joyful in
whichever way it comes. Success is, I believe, the rebirth of the
human spirit, an awakening of one’s possibilities and dreams,
and the knowledge that one is a treasure of God…valuable and
beautiful.
Diane Savage
President/CEO
We had a client come in as a walk in to our Crisis Intervention Office on Walnut. She was upset and crying, not knowing what to do for her and her daughters. She came from New York in an attempt to flee her abuser. She found a lady that was willing to help her out and allowed her and her two children to reside with her until they could get on their feet. The client stated that the lady became very abusive towards her, taking her food and being verbally abusive to her infront of her two children. She stated she didn’t know what to do and had no place to go. She said she had a job but couldn’t use her car because the stickers were expired. She also stated she had tickets that needed to be paid but she had been unable to pay them in the past because her abuser controlled her finances. I accepted this client into shelter, explained to her all the services we provide including allowing her to have zero expenses while in shelter so she could save up money. She took advantage of all our services, found a new job and fixed her car. Now she is applying for our rental assistance services so she can move into her own place. She has taken full advantage of all the services BATP has to offer. She stated that she was very grateful for BATP because we had helped her so much and she wouldn’t’ have been able to do it on her own!
- Gina Cazares, Program Assistant
I cannot ignore the fact that Domestic Violence and Sexual Assaults are serious problems in our community. It is painful to think about how lives, primarily women and children, are devastated by those acts of violence. I consider volunteering in various ways and providing financial support to BATP as one of the most meaningful ways I can spend my time and money so that BATP can help the victims who so desperately need it. Serving on the Board of Directors gives me insight into the many ways that BATP supports and advocates for the victims, changing and saving lives in the process.
- Robert Heselmeyer, Board of Directors
Who knows the rage that anger feels when it is placed against its will?
The sickened benediction done regurgitating morning’s sun.
Does anger trust the rage at hand to bury it in pleasant land or does it go down in the dirt to nourish every evil spirit?
To swallow rain and spit it out because the nectars sweet, no doubt.
Instead, this anger yearns to feel the pain of self against its will.
--Client L.D., 2011
Many years she dried and fought back her tears.
If she only knew the things she had to do.
The axles, the shackles, the beatings, the midnight meetings.
The hole in her wrist, the hole in her soul, the hole in her heart which drew her apart.
The hole in her shoes, in her childhood too.
If she only knew the things she had to do.
She did it all to please you, the shame, the games.
Animal thoughts, the mask, the hat, the shoes, the loose hem in her dress brought out the very best.
The madness, the sadness, the sickness, the illness, the miraculous healings.
Turn around and pick up your stones, rubies and diamonds.
Make a complete turn around. Now I shout, I’m coming out.
Do you know who you are from afar?
You are stones, rubies and diamonds.
--Unknown Client, 2011
Crimson Tears - Client J.M.
I cry tears
Stained crimson
By cheeks lashed
By hands open and closed
Swinging blows that penetrate
Skin and attack soul.
Wide open to the glares of sorrow
My cries fell on deaf ears.
My skin ran free of scars.
Should I delve to my quintessence
So you can see my pain?
It’s like rain falling.
I cry tears
Stained crimson
By cheeks lashed
By hands open and closed.
Can we press rewind?
I remember those times
When death seemed the prize.
Naiveté stolen until
Artificial wrinkles became
River bed for tears stained red.
How many days I wished to be dead
Until I saw the place I furnished.
I cry tears stained crimson
By cheeks lashed
By hands open and closed.
Domestic Violence
Emphasis on domestic.
I became my own little terrorist
Holding onto flesh rotting,
One big weeping wound.
Brimstone rang from his every step.
So many times I realized he
Was the devil incarnate.
Bag packed, safety word set
Is this the low brow loving I get?
It is a romantic death.
Hand cocked
Mine rises faster
Knocked intention right out of him
Them my child cried.
We ran
We ran until the sun met our path
Washing us in healing hues.
No longer do I identify with abused.
I have surpassed survive.
I THRIVE!
To the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Turning Point:
I am writing to you today to make you aware of the outstanding dedication of your staff and in particular of Carrie Enriquez. I know that most of your staff work tirelessly, and put in long hours, but I doubt that you often hear of the overwhelmingly positive, life changing difference they make in the day to day lives of individuals.
Last month, my daughter was involved in an incident of domestic violence. For our family, this was completely unchartered territory. We were scared and confused and it was a very traumatic time for us. We were originally referred to the Bay Area Council on Drugs, who thankfully then referred us to your organization Bay Area Turning Point. From the moment we met Ms. Carrie Enriquez, she put us at ease. She led us through the whole process, took us to the emergency room, and stayed with us until my daughter had been admitted (over four hours). During that time, her professionalism and reassuring nature was indispensible. She not only provided us with the practical information we needed, but went further to provides warm, positive, non-judgmental support on an emotional and psychological level. By the time Carrie left (very late that night) we felt like we knew what to do, and where we could get the help we needed. She let us know where to go to get counseling, clothes, and a safe place to stay.
The next day, Ms. Enriquez called to check on my daughter. Now, almost a month later, she will still call and check on my daughter's progress and always offers encouragement and support. I know that part of this is "just her job", but I know in my heart, that the thing that drives Carrie is a desire to help people. Her passion and level of caring went far beyond what her job would require. It was also nice to meet Andrea, who was in training, and she also exhibited the same type of deep commitment and passion.
Bay Area Turning Point should feel very fortunate to have Ms. Enriquez on your staff. She exemplifies the core values that I have come to recognize is the mission of your organization. I do not have a lot of money, but because of my experience feel compelled to donate and volunteer my time in the future. In the meantime, I hope this letter will at least allow Ms. Enriquez and Andrea to get some well-deserved recognition for the way they have touched the lives of me and my family. Thank you to them and thank you to your organization for what you do every day.
