By Audra Glidewell
The statistics are alarming: one out of three women in Texas has faced domestic violence at some point in their lives. Thankfully, The Family Place has been a lifeline in the North Texas community for 40 years. This organization supports victims of both physical and emotional abuse by offering secure housing, counseling, and assistance in acquiring skills for starting anew as independent individuals. They also work towards social reform to break the cycle of domestic violence.
Three women recount their experiences with domestic abuse and their journey toward healing at The Family Place:
Josie Horn
Josie Horn was raised in Dallas, witnessing her father’s abuse towards her mother. She earned her degree in Business Administration from Mountain View Community College and later married, having three children. However, shortly after the wedding, her husband’s ministry took a dark turn as he began to abuse Josie psychologically and spiritually.
After losing her mother to an aneurysm and her sister to ovarian cancer within a few years, Josie’s situation worsened as her husband started using drugs, leading their church to initiate the process to remove him as pastor.
“I felt lost and honestly thought I was going insane,” Josie recalled. “It was one blow after another. I had no one to confide in, no direction to turn, and I couldn’t articulate what I was feeling. Eventually, I was diagnosed with manic depression.”
In 2001, when an advocate from The Family Place spoke at her workplace, Josie came to realize her crisis and began to confront the pain of her childhood and the tumultuous marriage. Although her divorce had been finalized by then, counseling at The Family Place helped her discover that her life retained a purpose.
“Everything I’ve gone through has built my confidence and strengthened me,” she shared. “The Family Place is a refuge for help, shelter, guidance, and support. It has had a significant impact on my life, reminding me that, regardless of the obstacles, I possess the strength to overcome them.”
Josie was honored as The Family Place’s Survivor of the Year in 2008 and shared her journey on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. She is now a member of The Family Place’s Ladies of Leadership and Toastmasters International, writing a book to ensure that other women understand they are not alone.
Hope Woodson
After leaving her abusive marriage, Hope Woodson noticed dramatic changes in her son’s behavior. His grades fell, and he exhibited troubling behavior both at home and in school, alternating between deep sadness and bursts of anger. After watching a news segment about The Family Place’s counselors helping a young man with similar struggles, she reached out for assistance, initiating individual and group counseling sessions for herself and her children.
“We learned how to express our emotions without resorting to anger and how to deal with sadness and uncertainty,” Hope stated. “Most importantly, we discovered a light at the end of the tunnel and that we were not alone. It was challenging at first, but sharing my story with women who understood provided me with confidence, strength, and encouragement.”
Today, Hope’s son is an 8th grader thriving academically and participating in three sports. She is an active member of The Family Place’s Ladies of Leadership, a group of survivors-turned-advocates who volunteer their time and share their stories at various community events. Additionally, Hope is serving on The Family Place Partners Auxiliary Board for 2018.
“I couldn’t be more excited and proud to serve an organization that has positively transformed my life,” she expressed.
Kager Howard
Kager Howard once vowed never to become a victim of domestic violence, but that vow was broken. She learned about The Family Place through a volunteer while seeking counseling for her 12-year-old daughter, who had witnessed the abuse. Soon, Kager began attending counseling herself, becoming a client at The Family Place’s Southern Dallas Counseling Center for two years.
“The counselor played a crucial role in helping me understand who I was and how to start loving myself. The group sessions were life-altering,” she reflected. “Talking to someone who understood my situation without judgment created a space for personal growth, truth, and healing.”
One night in 2006, after having dinner with a friend and making plans to meet again the following weekend, Kager learned that her friend’s ex-husband had killed her that very night.
“Her death shattered me, leading to years of feeling I could have done more,” Kager recounted. “Now, I refuse to live in shame or fear; I speak out in hopes that my story can encourage others to escape before it’s too late.”
Kager is currently a member of The Family Place’s Ladies of Leadership, which has been instrumental in helping her overcome her fear of speaking out against domestic violence.
“I am incredibly grateful to The Family Place for igniting my desire to help domestic violence victims Get Out, Stay Out, and Pay Out,” she added. “We do this by healing ourselves and supporting others so they don’t fall victim again.”
PARTNERS CARD SUPPORTS THE FAMILY PLACE
Partners Card is The Family Place’s main fundraiser, with 100% of purchases supporting survivors of domestic abuse. From Friday, October 26, to Sunday, November 4, you can shop at over 750 participating stores and restaurants in DFW and enjoy a 20% discount while supporting The Family Place. You can order your card online at familyplace.org/partners-card or pick one up at Tom Thumb, Albertson’s, or a participating retailer. Good Life Family is proud to be a media sponsor of Partners Card.
Visit goodLIFEfamilymag.com or familyplace.org for further details.
