A Message from Executive Director, Sarita Drake

In response to, "Where Does Your Money Go?"

When survivors first come in, we’ll say, "What do you practically need right now? Like right now? And usually, the mama will say, " We're hungry. We immediately start pulling stuff out of the fridge. The kids are just standing there, looking around, and usually one of the kids will say, " Do we get to stay here? 

Because some of them have been living in cars. Some of them have been living outside in parks. And the mama's done all she can, but she can't help them. She doesn't have anything else to give. She's running for her life. She's running from the danger. 

The next thing, the mama usually says, while she stands in the kitchen, looking at us, the mama says, What about clothes? And you realize in that moment, she's doing the best she can, but she doesn't have anything left. And the mama will say, " We had it, 'cause she might see the look on our faces, like, " What do you mean? You don't have any clothes? The mama will say, " We had a choice. We could run for our lives. I grabbed the kids. I just grabbed them, and we ran. And sometimes we flee in the dark. We don't know where we're gonna land, but we landed here. We tell them it’s okay and that we’ll get you clothes and fed. That’s okay.

But their immediate need is to run for safety, food, clothes, and shelter. And they're standing in front of us, and we reassure that mom. We're gonna get you some clothes. It's fine. We've got plenty of food, and just to let you know, it's all provided at no cost. And mama breathes. She just breathes. And so we start there. 

A survivor may say, “All my documents got thrown away by my abuser,” or “Wow, I’ll be able to get my driver’s license back?” “I haven’t been to the doctor in a year, and I need my thyroid medication.” Or simply, “I’m so anxious.” We will get it. We’ll take care of the doctor and get the medications. 

So all these funds provide a specific, tangible need. And that’s where we come in. We don’t tell them what they need. We ask them what their goals are, and we say, “We will help you get the things that you need. So when I look at these amounts, I look at practical, clothes on their back, medications, the child’s coughing, and can’t quit. We need to take that child to the doctor. And then we give them a ride to the hospital, or the emergency room if needed. 

So when I see these needs monthly, I look at love, I look at care, I look at provision. 

Something they have not been asked, “How can we help you?” They’ve been hiding, some for years. Yes, it’s so real.