“Nadia” (name changed to maintain privacy), is a kind woman, radiant and in the happiest period of her life, thanks to The Salvation Army and its fierce dedication to meeting the needs of struggling families.
This fearless woman met her husband in their Middle Eastern country a decade ago. They fell in love and she left her native country to join him in California’s Capital Region where he lived.
About 10 years into her marriage, the pair had two children and were expecting their third. Sadly, the conditions that Nadia lived in were challenging, and she began to look at her life with increasing concern. In the home country of the couple, women are relegated to second-class citizens, accountable to their husbands for everything and unable to exercise any independence whatsoever.
“I was not allowed to get my driver license or to own a mobile phone,” explains Nadia, a sadness returning to her kind face as she reflected on her past. “I was only allowed to walk the kids to school, remaining indoors each day. And, I was verbally and physically abused regularly and had no work experience or money to leave. I used to call my mother back in my native country, to share my brokenness with her, as I was not allowed to make any friends in my new country. My mother’s response was always the same, telling me that I should be grateful for having a husband, children and a roof over my head.”
Following a particularly abusive time, Nadia phoned 911 and was connected to Family Promise, a local nonprofit that addresses homelessness holistically, providing case management. The executive director there was so concerned about Nadia’s situation that she personally drove to Nadia’s home to pick her and her children up before her husband got home from work, with law enforcement’s support. With very little belongings, Nadia and her little family were transported to a safe site.
Later, Family Promise put Nadia in touch with The Salvation Army’s E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Center, a 34-unit safe site that provides struggling families with structured programs and an opportunity to live in a fully-furnished apartment. “I arrived there with my two children, pregnant with my third” recalls Nadia. “I was humbled by the kindness of those who work for The Salvation Army. I had my third child while living at the Raley Transitional Center. The Salvation Army people are so supportive. They helped calm my fears.”
With the support of The Salvation Army, Nadia found work at a local nonprofit as a receptionist and intake worker, where she has been for a year. “I love to provide help,” explains Nadia. “I meet women who are victims of domestic violence like I once was. I tell them that there is hope in every situation.
Many are immigrants who did not know of any such assistance programs in their home country. I have a wonderful boss, a single mother herself with a big heart for the women who come through our doors.”
Today, Nadia lives in her own apartment with her children. She has earned her California Driver License, has learned about public transportation, and has a good schedule in her parttime position at work and in her children’s school and childcare schedules.
The Salvation Army provided Nadia’s children with a shopping spree for school clothes, which Nadia has stretched to an entire year. Nadia also received staff support throughout her divorce proceedings, counseling for her mental and emotional trauma and the family received Thanksgiving dinner and will receive Christmas presents and a Christmas dinner as part of The Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
“I want to own my own small business, and I want to visit my mother in Pakistan,” adds Nadia. The Salvation Army’s services have helped me achieve a new life, a good, safe life for me and my children. I am no longer living in fear, and I am thankful each day for the promise that tomorrow holds.”
