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"I was so ashamed of the domestic abuse in my home that I didn't want to ask for help. When I finally got up enough nerve to leave, I was willing to do anything except go on welfare. Instead, my kids and I ended up eating garbage from dumpsters. Eventually we sought help from a shelter that referred us to Save the Family. At Save the Family, I was helped to believe in myself and my ability, so I could find a job and focus on my career goals. As a result, after I left the program, I was able to get a full scholarship to ASU and four years later, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with my BA in social work. In 1997, I finished my masters at ASU and now I am working as a counselor, helping other families who are dealing with domestic violence and homelessness issues."
— Maria, age 32
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"We were referred to Save the Family after my husband was diagnosed with brain tumors and was forced to quit work. I tried to support our three children and keep up with Steve's medical bills, but we fell behind and were evicted from our apartment. Save the Family not only helped us get the medical attention Steve needed, they helped me get the education I needed to get a better job. Soon after graduating from Save the Family, I was offered a job in Prescott and we moved there. Steve has totally recovered and is able to work again. Better yet, the kids are on the honor roll at school."
— Mary and Steve, age 35 & 37
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"I do this for the kids. I want them to know they don't have to live in an abusive, bleak environment the rest of their lives. I want them to develop hope for a bright future and learn the skills they need to realize their dreams."
Janice Parker
Founding Executive Director
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"My wife and I were both heavy into drugs until one day, I woke up and saw my kids cold, hungry and filthy dirty. I told my wife we had to straighten up, but she didn't want to. That's when I took the kids and left. I had no job, no money, nowhere to go. In fact, my drug abuse had left me with no teeth. How was I going to go straight, get a job and support my family looking like that? But Save the Family found a dentist who donated his time to fit me with all new dental work. Then they helped me maintain my sobriety and find a job. Save the Family has given me a lot of reasons to smile."
— James, age 32
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"I was devastated when I discovered my new husband was sexually abusing my three daughters. But I did what I had to do. I turned him in. After he went to jail, I worked hard to avoid welfare. I had a job at a fast food restaurant, but without my husband's income, I just couldn't make ends meet and we were evicted from our apartment. Save the Family helped me feel normal again. It sounds so simple, but it meant everything to me. Now I can be there for my daughters in ways I never could before."
— Linda, age 29
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"I had a few credits in nursing when I came to Save the Family and my case manager helped me focus on finishing my education. But I'd gotten pretty good at sabotaging my success, so every time I got close, I'd do something like get sick, to defeat myself. My case manager finally told me I had to finish or my kids and I were going to have to leave. I didn't like her very much at the time, but I did graduate and landed a job at a nursing home where I'm now the Director of Nursing. I can't thank Save the Family enough for helping me stick it out."
— Ann, age 43
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