Larissa’s DV Survivor Story
November 7th, 2024
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager
Larissa* had been living in a hotel with the man who abused her. His temper had gotten them evicted and left them homeless. He hadn’t just been abusive to her; he had cruelly choked and hurt her loving, friendly pup Willie*. He had never hurt her other dog Boogie*, but Larissa wasn’t going to take the chance. She sought services at a homeless shelter, and was referred to a domestic violence shelter. But Willie and Boogie were not going to be able to join her.
They were boarded at their local humane society where they could stay for a maximum of 20 days. After that, Larissa would have to find another safe place for her boys. Larissa had had Boogie since he was just weeks old, a sweet and outgoing corgi mix who helped her son with seizures, and her with PTSD. Willie was also more than a pet: He helped Larissa with her back pain from a severe car accident. They had been there for Larissa when nobody else was. She loved them so much that if she couldn’t find somewhere safe for them, she was prepared to sacrifice her spot at the shelter and move into a motel that accepted pets rather than be separated. Nothing could come between them.
With a RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant, nothing would.
Because she no longer had to worry about Willie and Boogie’s safety, Larissa was able to make the most of her time in the domestic violence shelter. She attended three support groups a week, plus individual and family counseling; meanwhile, she went to court to regain guardianship of her son. Things were looking up, especially once she received an emergency housing voucher. There were moments before she received her Safe Escape grant when Larissa contemplated surrendering her dogs, or leaving the shelter to be with them, which might mean she would return to a life of abuse and homelessness. But as her shelter advocate noted, accepting the Safe Escape grant from RedRover made a crucial difference: “Your program saved her life!”
A Safe Escape grant is often literally lifesaving. We’re proud that your support protects survivors and their pets physically and emotionally, embracing them with love and compassion while they heal. Thank you for the lifesaving difference you make!
Please consider making a Safe Escape possible for every survivor with a generous gift today.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy
