Another slug to her gut, a slap to her face, then a painful ringing of her arms, and a push to the floor. The violence toward “Autumn” was getting worse in her Georgia home, and there didn’t seem to be a way out. The main problem was that each act of violence was another chance to harm the baby she was carrying.
The abuse was getting so bad that Autumn began to see abortion as her only way out. Yet even if she got an abortion, much of her hostile circumstances would still be in her life.
Her dependence on the father of her unborn baby wouldn’t go away — including housing, financial support, and companionship. Not to mention the lack of physical or emotional support from her family.
Autumn thought getting an abortion would set her free from her boyfriend and she could start all over — again.
Autumn thought getting an abortion would set her free from her boyfriend and she could start all over — again.
When all else failed, Autumn turned to Human Coalition one more time. She had leaned on Human Coalition several other times and found the support she desperately needed. Why not another time? But she didn’t want to be a burden. She fought with the idea of calling out for help for quite some time, but she had no reasonable alternatives.
So, Autumn called Human Coalition at the lowest time in her life, when everything seemed to be at its worst. Thanks to your generosity, help was immediately given and a way out of the intense brutality she was experiencing was provided. A nurse connected her with resources for domestic violence services, emotional support, legal aid, and financial assistance for rent and utilities — something she and her three children desperately needed, along with her unborn child.
Autumn was also assisted with a rigorous job search, which helped to advance her long-term stability, and ultimately independence from the father of the baby — her abuser. Throughout her work together with Human Coalition, Autumn was surrounded with consistent emotional support from nurses and Continuum of Care coordinators, helping her and her children to finally experience a secure life.
Without your support, Autumn’s life would have been far more unstable and significantly more challenging. Her path would have been marked by greater crisis, fewer opportunities for stability, and an absence of much-needed support during critical periods of her life.
Through it all, Autumn decided to keep her baby after reflecting on God’s provision in her life, even in the midst of the circumstances she was facing. She is now the mother of a beautiful baby and enjoying every minute with her newborn child, in addition to her three older children.
When asked what she would tell other women who are going through similar experiences, she simply said, “Trust God.”
Autumn is doing very well now. She is securely housed and is planning to purchase her own home soon. She maintains full-time employment and is running her food truck business on weekends again. Her children are thriving, and she is no longer in an abusive relationship. She is so excited as she reflects on her renewed stability and momentum toward long-term success.
And to top it all off, Autumn wrote and published a book about her youngest daughter. She was so thrilled to honor her sweet little jewel with words from her heart.
This couldn’t have happened without your kindness and support for moms like Autumn, even when she felt like all was lost. Thank you for helping Autumn when she needed it most!