Chiweenie Love: Joyce’s DV Survivor Story
May 2nd, 2024
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager
Annie* the Chiweenie’s beautiful brown eyes were the first thing most people noticed about her; the second was how much she and her mama, Joyce*, adored each other. They’d been together since Annie was just a teeny Chiweenie, and today the bond between these best friends is unbreakable.
Joyce is developmentally delayed and sometimes depends more on others than a 20-year-old might otherwise. On weekdays she attended a high school program for 18- to 21-year-old students with disabilities, but in the evenings and on weekends, she spent much of her time with her family. While she felt supported at school by her teachers and classmates, she came home to parents who were so much worse than simply unsupportive: her parents were abusive.
The way her parents treated her broke Joyce’s heart, but seeing how witnessing the abuse had made sweet Annie so nervous and timid hurt the most. Too many domestic violence survivors struggle to find a safe place for themselves and their pets. Joyce was facing the additional obstacle of navigating a world that wasn’t always welcoming of her differences. Leaving the abuse behind would take not only plenty of courage but also careful planning and the kindness of others to ensure her and Annie’s needs were met.
Kindness is at the heart of the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program (and all of our lifesaving programs, for that matter). When Joyce contacted her local domestic violence shelter, the advocate reassured her that, even though Annie wouldn’t be able to stay with her in the shelter, they would find a way to keep her safe. The thought of being apart from Annie felt awful to Joyce. But it was only temporary and they would be together again, happy and at peace for the first time in a long time. With equal parts apprehension and optimism, Joyce came to the shelter and worked with her advocate to apply for a Safe Escape grant.
Annie needed vaccinations before being boarded and, fortunately, the cost was covered by Joyce’s grant. Soon Annie was dropped off at the boarding facility and she and Joyce were apart, an unusual and unwelcome situation for them both. They wouldn’t be sad for long: Joyce only spent one night in the domestic violence shelter before other family members brought her home and picked Annie up. They would be safe together with a supportive, protective family.
These grants are the bridge between violence and peace; for some, it’s a months-long journey, and for others, a matter of hours. It may have just been one night but without a Safe Escape grant and a way to protect Annie, Joyce wouldn’t have been able to leave her parents and their abusive home. That was clear to her advocate:
“Thank you for helping our client. She was so happy that Annie was being taken care of and out of the abusive situation. It gave her some peace of mind to know she was safe. She probably would not have escaped domestic violence if she did not have a safe place for her pet.”
We are thankful that the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program keeps families together and protects the bonds between pets and the people who love them when they need it the most. Whether it’s an individual survivor or a family with children, everyone deserves to have a new beginning with their pet, safe from violence – and your kindness makes that possible. Thank you for being a part of our compassionate community!
*Names have been changed to protect privacy
P.S. The RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program is in dire need as more survivors depend on us and the cost of an individual grant continues to rise. If Joyce and Annie’s story has inspired you to protect more families like theirs, please consider donating to make a Safe Escape possible for every survivor.
