John,

As a nonprofit, our mission is to help women and girls live their dreams. 

This year, we’ll empower nearly 2,000 women through our Live Your Dream Awards program. Over 50% will have been victims of domestic or sexual abuse. 

But these women are not defined by their trauma. Each has a story and a dream.

Since it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to share the story of a survivor who came to our organization looking for help.

Tyra had had enough. Enough of her partner’s mental, physical, and emotional abuse. Enough of having to put her dreams on hold. Enough of feeling afraid for her daughters. 

“I knew that wasn’t the life I needed to live.”

So one day, Tyra told herself: Enough. She sought help and obtained an order of protection to remove her abuser from her life.

Raising a family as a single mom without a formal education wasn’t easy. Tyra struggled to find a job that paid enough to cover rent and essentials for her kids. Still, she dreamed of one day getting her college degree. With her abuser out of the picture, maybe that dream could finally come true. 

That’s when Tyra applied for the Live Your Dream Awards. This program grants nearly $3 million yearly to women like Tyra who want to advance their education.

The support Tyra received from the Live Your Dream Awards was life-changing. 

“Now I could buy my school books, as well as diapers for my daughter. It was such a good feeling and a real blessing.”

Today, Tyra no longer lives in fear. Since the Live Your Dream Award, she graduated with her B.S. in business management. She also founded her own nonprofit that provides training in domestic violence prevention. 

Tyra went from surviving to thriving.

Every one of our volunteers, donors, and advocates has had a hand in helping a woman like Tyra. Supporters like you are key in getting survivors to safety and helping them achieve independence.

Donations ensure that survivors and women who have overcome other types of adversity receive the financial support they need to start a new chapter. Join us in the fight against gender-based violence and honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Donate $20 today to help survivors »