MARIA came to United States as refugee from Russia. She learned about License To Freedom from a friend who is also from Russia and who volunteers for our project. Maria was brutally abused by her husband. Her friend provided support to Maria and explained that domestic violence is a crime and that there is help available to victims. She brought Maria to our office. Maria registered with our program. However, she could not participate in most of our program activities because her husband would not let her. When her friend called Maria, her husband picked up the phone. He was verbally abusive to Maria’s friend, threatened her, and told her that she could no longer call Maria or visit her. Maria tried to call us when her husband was sleeping after work. However, he noticed that Maria was contacting somebody. To increase Maria’s isolation, he moved them to an apartment far away from our office and from community members.
Eventually, Maria was beaten by her husband, her child was also hurt, and police took her to the battered women’s shelter. The thirty days of allowed stay in the shelter were not enough for Maria to rebuild her life. She had no job, no money, and she was involved in complicated criminal and civil court procedures. When her month had elapsed, she had to leave the shelter. She was referred to Transitional Housing in San Diego, but there was no available space for her. Maria had only one option: a homeless shelter. She called License To Freedom. Our staff found her a place to stay in a home of another immigrant woman. License To Freedom paid the first month’s rent for Maria’s room. In the meantime, Maria started a part-time job and is looking for a full-time job, started free driving classes provided by License to Freedom, and has continued to participate in counseling sessions and group activities. |
