Coordinated Care for Survivors in Crisis

When Anna* picked up the phone to call our crisis line, she was terrified. Her abuser was due home in just ten minutes, and she knew this was her only chance to escape. Two and a half years earlier, Anna had moved to the area, full of hope after meeting her boyfriend online. What began as a new start quickly became a nightmare of manipulation, isolation, and escalating abuse.

She tried to leave many times, but each time the fear of starting over, and her abuser’s cruel words that she was “worth nothing” and would “always come back” kept pulling her back. Over time, she began to believe those lies, numbing her pain with drugs and alcohol and feeling more trapped than ever. On this night though, her fear was matched with determination: she was ready to reach out for help.

Our crisis team acted immediately. With only minutes to spare, staff helped Anna create a safety plan and arranged for an Uber to pick her up. She texted when she was safely in the car and headed to our emergency shelter. Once she arrived, staff welcomed her with safety, compassion, and care.

The following day, our team helped reconnect Anna with her family, loved ones she hadn’t seen since she left her hometown. They embraced her return, offering stability and encouragement as she began to heal. With her family’s support and access to vital resources, she began the long but hopeful process of rebuilding her life in a safe and supportive environment.

Today, Anna is rediscovering her strength. She is working toward sobriety, reconnecting with her passions, and taking steps toward steady employment. Most importantly, she is learning to believe in herself again, proving wrong every word of doubt her abuser once used to hold her back. Ten minutes of courage changed everything, and with support, Anna is building a future defined not by fear, but by freedom and hope.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Parenting Education that Builds Confidence

When Maria* moved to North Carolina with her husband and newborn, she was stepping into a brand-new chapter, one filled with both hope and uncertainty. The young family stayed with friends while searching for a place of their own, but the shared space left Maria without the privacy she longed for to bond with and nurture her infant. Her husband worked long hours to provide for them, and Maria found herself feeling isolated, without transportation, employment, or the confidence she wanted as a first-time mother.

A friend introduced her to our Healthy Start Program, and she began biweekly home visits. Together, with Sasha, her caseworker, they talked through child development milestones, explored age-appropriate expectations, and practiced strategies for both self-care and parenting. Sasha also helped her navigate practical barriers by researching affordable apartments to find housing within the family’s budget.

At first, Maria was hesitant and worried that she wasn’t “doing things right” as a mother. But over time, she began to look forward to each visit, finding reassurance and encouragement that built her confidence. She started setting small, achievable goals, like reading to her baby daily or practicing new ways to soothe her during fussy nights. With each success, her self-esteem grew, and so did her bond with her child.

In just four months, Maria and her family achieved remarkable milestones: they moved into their own home, secured reliable transportation through careful savings, and Maria found a job she loves.

Today, she is actively engaged in Healthy Start, using each visit to build the skills she needs to grow as both a parent and an individual. She shares proudly about her child’s first words and developmental milestones, and she feels empowered to advocate for her family’s needs.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Helping Clients Navigate Mortgage Challenges

After her husband passed away, Margaret* suddenly found herself facing life, and the full burden of their mortgage, alone. The grief was overwhelming and the financial responsibility felt daunting, but she was determined to keep the home they had built together.

Then, everything got harder. A string of serious medical issues, including multiple surgeries and a terrible fall, left her hospitalized and unable to walk. She spent two months in rehab focusing on her recovery while her bills piled up. She couldn’t work. She couldn’t keep up with her mortgage. The house she had fought so hard to hold onto was suddenly in jeopardy.

On top of that, a seemingly simple problem, getting a replacement Social Security card, turned into a major barrier. Without it, she couldn’t verify her identity with the mortgage company or move forward with any kind of assistance. Each day without progress left her feeling more hopeless.

That’s when she connected with Family Service and Steve, one of our Consumer Credit Counseling Service housing counselors. For the first time in months, Margaret felt like she had someone on her side, someone who understood the system and would not let her face it alone. Together, she and Steve gathered the necessary documents, submitted her application for a new Social Security card, and worked through the complicated process of communicating with her mortgage servicer.

It wasn’t easy. There were long phone calls, and paperwork that seemed endless. But through it all, Margaret didn’t give up. With support from Family Service, she was able to submit a hardship request to her lender, which was ultimately approved.

Today, Margaret remains in her home. Her mortgage is current, with terms that include an affordable monthly payment and a low interest rate. Most importantly, she has regained peace of mind, knowing she can focus on her health and healing without the fear of losing the place that holds her most cherished memories.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Holistic Support for Kids and Families

At just six years old, Evie* had already lived through more than most people face in a lifetime. She was removed from her biological parents after being left home alone, just one example of the neglect she suffered due to their struggles with mental health and substance use. In the years before she entered foster care at age four, Evie was passed from one caregiver to another, never knowing what safety or consistency felt like.

Eventually, her first foster parents adopted her, finally giving her the stable, loving home she so desperately needed. But as her new family quickly realized, healing from deep trauma takes time, care, and access to the right support.

When she started kindergarten, her teacher noticed something concerning: she was very quiet. As the year went on, her silence deepened. Eventually, she stopped speaking altogether outside the safety of her home. A visit to her pediatrician led to a referral to Family Service and our High Point Center for Child Wellness, a center of excellence for child mental health providing comprehensive, trauma-informed behavioral healthcare to children and their families.

Evie was seen by child psychiatrist, Dr. Jason Jones, and was diagnosed with selective mutism, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. As part of her care plan, medication and therapy were prescribed and the slow careful work of healing began. Her therapist created a space where Evie could feel safe. At first, progress came in small signs: pointing instead of speaking, then soft sounds, then one-word answers. Slowly, over a year and a half of therapy and medication management, Evie began to speak again, not just at home, but in school, in public, and eventually, anywhere.

Today, Evie is nine years old and thriving. She completed therapy earlier this year and just came back from a trip to Disneyland, which she was so excited to tell Dr. Jones about, unprompted and full of joy. Her parents report she’s more confident, more social, and even has a best friend. There may still be challenges ahead, but with her family beside her and our team behind her, she’s moving forward. Because healing doesn’t happen in a moment, it happens in a community. And we’re honored to be part of hers.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Healthy Start Provides a Foundation for Parents

When Erica* became a mother for the first time, she wanted to be a good one. But she had little experience of what a loving and caring mother looked like. “My mother was always abusive when I was growing up,” she says. “The only role models I had for a good mother were the ones on TV.”

Erica experienced many struggles parenting her first child. She would later find out her son had autism which had gone undiagnosed. When she became pregnant for a second time, Erica was encouraged to participate in Family Service of the Piedmont’s Healthy Start program for new and expectant moms with high stress factors. “Healthy Start gave me the peace of mind that this time, I would be prepared.”

Erica’s Healthy Start Caseworker visited the home regularly to share information and resources with Erica about her growing family. “She kept me informed on the development stages my kids were going through, as well as what it looks like to be a good parent,” Erica says. “In talking about discipline, I’ve learned to redirect the energy of my children instead of getting mad at them for doing things that kids do.”

Erica’s particular situation makes parenting an even tougher job: “I have to parent two completely different sets of kids,” she explains. “My older child with autism has a completely different set of needs than that of his younger brother. Healthy Start has taught me to adjust my parenting style to fit what is best and most effective for each child.”

Not only her children, but Erica herself has also benefitted from what she is learning through Healthy Start. “I’ve started to take time out for myself,” she says smiling. “When I take the time to decompress and de-stress, I am more in control of my emotions and I don’t take my anger and frustration out on my family. I accept that I don’t have to be a super mom; it’s better to be a healthy mom.”

“Healthy Start helps mothers feel that they are not alone,” Erica concludes. “There is no shame in reaching out for help. This program reiterates the fact that it’s okay to feel angry and frustrated about certain things, but you can react in a healthy way so that it does not destroy or hurt your child. Healthy Start has given me the knowledge and support I need to be the best mother I can be.”

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

How Specialized Therapy Created a Way Forward

Twelve-year-old Jackson* was drowning in anxiety and struggling with outbursts he couldn’t control. He and his mother turned to Family Service, searching for answers – searching for hope.

From the moment he met his therapist, something shifted. In a world that often felt overwhelming and unpredictable, therapy became Jackson’s safe haven. Here, he was heard. Here, he wasn’t just a kid with “behavior problems” – he was a child carrying the weight of a painful and previously unspoken truth – he had been sexually abused by a cousin.

His therapist immediately helped the family navigate the steps to report the abuse, ensuring they received the necessary legal and emotional support during this vulnerable time.

Recognizing that Jackson was exhibiting significant symptoms of traumatic stress, his therapist began utilizing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a specialized approach designed to help children like Jackson make sense of their experiences and find a path forward.

Together, Jackson and his mother committed to the journey. It wasn’t easy. But session by session, they worked through the pain. One of the most powerful moments in his therapy was the creation of his trauma narrative—a deeply personal process that allowed him to reclaim his story, to take back the power trauma had stolen from him.

And then, something incredible happened. The anxiety loosened its grip. The outbursts became less frequent. Jackson was no longer just surviving—he was healing.

This is why Family Service exists. To provide a lifeline, to mend what feels broken, and to remind children like Jackson that healing is possible—and that they don’t have to do it alone.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

A Teen’s path to Healing with Family Service

Taming the Whale: A Teen’s path to Healing with Family Service

Fifteen-year-old Mackenzie* began therapy with Family Service after disclosing to her family that she had experienced a terrible trauma.

Although there were lots of things to work through in therapy, Mackenzie’s most dire issue was that she hadn’t been able to get herself to school in the mornings. Working with her therapist, they began problem solving by considering questions such as: How do we make sure that you’re tired enough to sleep? How do we get your space cozy? How much can your parents help?

One day Mackenzie was very upset during her session and while coloring she told her therapist about her “whale” which is what she had named her depression. She expressed this “whale” would swim by during the night and cause her to cry for hours, exhausting her and making her unable to wake up.

Just as quickly as she shared, she stopped. Her therapist encouraged her to continue coloring and let Mackenzie know that she was there if she wanted to speak, and if she didn’t. They sat in silence for a long time, all the while her therapist would check in to see if she was okay until eventually, the session ended.

It might sound like not much was accomplished. However, this was the moment Mackenzie’s therapist earned her trust. After this, Mackenzie was able to learn coping strategies to manage the “whale”, ways to communicate her emotions, and how to connect with her family. Eventually she was able to get back to school.

Today, Mackenzie is a talkative, vibrant, teenager, and because of the support from Family Service and her therapist her future is looking brighter than she ever thought possible.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

A Story of Survival and Hope

Sofia* had been in a long-term relationship that was filled with emotional, verbal and financial abuse.  However, things had never escalated to a point where she thought she might be killed. One day she and her partner went out to eat for lunch, where he began drinking excessively and displaying erratic and argumentative behavior.

Suddenly, he brandished a firearm and forced her into their car, threatening to shoot her if she refused. Luckily, a restaurant employee called law enforcement but not before a high-speed chase ensued with Sofia in the car and her partner continuing to threaten her life if she didn’t listen to him. Ultimately, the car chase ended with no one hurt and her partner was arrested, charged with numerous counts of violence and incarcerated.

At the scene, Sofia was connected to Family Service, where she had support and help from one of our Victim Advocates with the filing of an emergency protective order. She was also referred to counseling services to begin to process her experience. Our Victim Advocates were also able to ensure she received periodic alerts on her former partner’s incarceration status.

Though the road to healing would be long, Sofia was no longer walking it alone. She had found safety, support, and, most importantly, hope for a future free from fear.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

How Parenting Support Had a Triple Impact

Monica’s life took an unexpected turn when she gave birth to triplets prematurely. With her husband and extended family overseas, she faced the challenges of new motherhood largely alone, relying on support from peers and professors in her PhD program. Monica struggled to balance her academic commitments with caring for three newborns.

Enter the Healthy Start Program—a lifeline that transformed Monica’s journey from overwhelming to manageable. As she brought her triplets home, the program’s team began making weekly visits that quickly became a vital source of support. These visits went beyond providing essential items like diapers, wipes, and clothes; they offered moments of comfort and connection that Monica and her children came to treasure. Story time, where caseworkers would sit down to read 1-2 books with the children, became a simple yet impactful part of their early development.

Reflecting on her journey, Monica shared, “Healthy Start didn’t just provide material assistance; it gave me a sense of community and the confidence to thrive as a mother and a student. I am profoundly grateful for this program’s impact on my family’s life.”

Today, Monica’s triplets are now toddlers, thriving just as she is. Thanks to the support of Healthy Start, Monica emerged stronger, with a degree in hand and a bright future ahead.

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

The Power of Support

Lila’s marriage was a nightmare. Trafficked by her husband and exploited as a domestic worker, she faced constant control and abuse. Her husband gave her limited access to their finances, demanded she wash clothes by hand because he didn’t trust the washing machine, and insisted on fresh meals daily, refusing to eat leftovers. On top of these burdens, Lila was solely responsible for caring for their two children. To tighten his grip, her husband installed cameras in the house and car to monitor her every move.

Courageously, Lila made the difficult decision to leave and turned to Family Service of the Piedmont, where she filed a protective order and began the daunting task of rebuilding her life. Through Family Service, Lila was provided counseling and case management services and she was empowered to focus on healing, building her self-esteem, and learning crucial life skills.

She was determined to secure a better future and set ambitious goals: achieve financial independence, secure stable housing, and obtain reliable transportation for herself and her children.

One of Lila’s proudest achievements was purchasing her own vehicle—a powerful symbol of her newfound independence. The car not only made her daily commute to school possible but also gave her the freedom to care for her children and access essential community resources.

Having made remarkable progress in her recovery, Lila is eagerly embracing her independence. Her journey from oppression to empowerment stands as a testament to her strength and resilience.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Navigating Finances for a Better Future

Wendy, a determined single mother striving for stability, faced financial hurdles despite her aspirations for a better life for her family. She struggled to find a solution when she fell behind on her monthly rent and faced a costly electric bill that defeated her due to reduced pay at work. After discovering Family Service of the Piedmont’s Consumer Credit Counseling Service through her Housing Authority caseworker, she found her needed support.

With guidance from a financial counselor at Family Service, Wendy joined a matched savings program that helped fund her late rent and electric bill. This assistance allowed her to regain financial stability, and build an emergency fund. Through budgeting lessons and expense management, she not only improved her finances but also boosted her self-esteem.

Wendy’s success story highlights the transformative impact of Family Service’s support. Her newfound confidence and financial security testify to the effectiveness of the Consumer Credit Counseling Services, inspiring hope and encouraging others facing similar challenges to seek assistance for their journey toward financial success.

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Financial Counseling Helps Set Goals

After being laid off from his job, Michael* began experiencing financial challenges and sought assistance from Family Service of the Piedmont’s Consumer Credit Counseling Program. He began meeting monthly with a credit counselor who helped him manage his finances, create a budget, and find ways to save money. The support he received was vital to helping him get back on his feet.

“I am so glad this program is available,” he says. It provided everything I needed all in one place.” Despite the challenges, he found a new job through a career placement agency and decided to continue participating in financial counseling.

Michael says his favorite parts of the program are the financial assessments and goal-setting sessions. “It’s great to see the progress I’ve made,” he says. “It gives me confidence that I am meeting my financial goals, and the assessments let me know where I can improve and what I need to focus on.”

Additionally, he has attended a workshop on homeownership, which has been instrumental in helping him prepare to buy a house. “These workshops are a game-changer,” Michael says.

Michael is one of the many clients who have trusted Family Service and our Consumer Credit Counseling Service to help him gain control over his personal finances. “I’ve come a long way. I didn’t even have a stable income initially,” Michael says. “Now, I am saving money and planning to purchase a home for my family soon.”

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.