November 2021 Newsletter

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Overcoming Obstacles

Being victimized as a child caused Sabrina to have low self-esteem, depression, trouble forming and maintaining relationships, and other psychological consequences. That in turn affected the third generation, and so on. She was broken and could not repair the damage on her own. Intervention, in the form of a trustworthy environment, was needed. Understanding, accepting, and overcoming obstacles would take a lifetime.

At just eleven-years-old, she was abused by a non-blood member of her household. In spite of that, Sabrina’s mother chose her partner over her daughter. She said, “I thought it was my fault, and that my mom didn’t love me.” Sabrina was adopted out to a fine, single, career mom, but the emotional scars remained. In time, she entered a troubled relationship, that became an abusive marriage and family. They had two children that were physically abused. When she was accused of not reporting her husband, she lost custody of them. She went to Samaritan Inn. Sabrina said, “I was very naïve, what the world wanted me to do. I wanted everything handed to me, but I soon got out of that mentality. I wasn’t the only one looking for help. I learned about God and humility. I understand that He is our Father and He created us. It brought me closer to my family, and they should come first before my needs.” Sabrina regained custody of her children while living in Samaritan Inn’s supervised environment. She took classes to become a Certified Nurses Assistant, got a job as a caregiver, and moved with her kids into subsidized housing.

Still, she felt incomplete as a single mother. Her lack of self-worth again caused her to settle for a bad relationship. Sabrina said, “I wanted a boyfriend, instead of meeting the needs of my family. I thought that the love of a man would take care of me.” Then, family pressured her to allow grandparents to adopt her children over a concern for her stability. Here was the generational cycle. The child that was adopted out was now adopting out her own children. Sabrina said the situation with her mother, “affected me to want my boyfriend over my own girls. I felt unworthy.” That relationship eventually failed. She worked as a private, live-in caregiver, but when a client would pass away, she would be homeless again.

Back to the sanctuary of Samaritan Inn she returned. She was reminded of her value and encouraged. She now works for the Department of Human Services, providing caregiver services that are not live-in situations. She took a job at a local call center, seeking greater job and financial independence. In the photo above, she is working a program supervisor position here. Sabrina said, “Now, I feel much more independent than I ever have been. Its ok to be me. I like the Book of Job. He overcame so many things. I know I can overcome things in my life.”