The Real Reason for Private Donors

The Real Reason For Private Donors

“Why would you want to help someone like me?”. That question is asked over and over by

survivors. This comes from the shame they harbor, not for what they have done, but for what has been

done to them. Multiple traumas, sometimes a life-long dismissal by those who were supposed to

protect them, and societal stigma compound this feeling. When she comes to an agency like Beloved

Haven, she expects a certain level of compassion. We deliver on that. This begins to slowly build a

relationship where we can build her trust that we are not here to re-victimize her.

However, the real restoration begins when she feels compassion from strangers. The best

moments are when we sit with a client and can tell her things like:

“Your hotel stay was paid for by donors.”

“We raised enough money to get you a reliable vehicle for your new job.”

“These gift cards were sent by a friend so you can eat tonight.”

“This house exists because of the kindness of hundreds of people that care about you.”

These are the moments when a woman who has been used, and told she is only as valuable as

the amount someone offers her for an hour of time, feels something more. She feels a love from

strangers. She feels that someone else sees her worth as a human being. She feels the strength of others

being transferred to her. This is what we mean when we say “She is Seen, Known, and Loved”. It is not

only an agency’s responsibility to do that. It is the responsibility of all of us. It is the responsibility of

humanity to say”

“Not on my watch.”

“Enough is enough.”

“You are not who they say you are.”

“You are valued for your heart, mind, and soul.”

“We are standing with you.”

We received a letter from a client who is doing great things in a program. She said, “Thank you

for having my back.” That is what support means. It means that we all stand together and provide the

long-term services needed by these survivors.

If you can take a moment, please consider becoming a monthly donor. Without you, we will not

be able to build this program in residential housing. You can be a part of something huge. Restoring lives

that have been taken by something so dark and destructive that almost nothing else compares. How do

we fight this? We stand together. We empower these survivors. We give them the courage to walk with

dignity, strength, pride and hope into the light. We as a community of compassionate human beings can

be that light for them.