“Cassidy” finally felt like she was on the right path. She was working, living in an affordable home, and enrolled in college. In 2012, she proudly graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. With a bright outlook, she met someone, fell in love, and they started a family together. The couple eventually moved to California, hoping for a fresh start.
But California didn’t bring the safety or stability she hoped for. Her partner struggled with substance use disorder, and their home became a place of chaos and fear. Cassidy endured domestic violence, drug use, and even overdoses. “He took complete control of the house,” she recalls. The stress and danger pushed her into a deep depression. At her lowest point, she questioned whether life was worth living. “What’s the point? Why do I need to stay alive?” she thought. But one voice was louder than the rest: “I can’t give up. The kids need me.”
Determined to protect her family, Cassidy went to court and obtained a restraining order. But the abuse didn’t stop. He stole her identity, ruined her credit, took her unemployment checks, and even stole her car. The final straw came when he choked her unconscious, leaving her bruised and terrified. Cassidy knew she had to leave. With the help of friends, she escaped.
Now a mother of four, with a broken credit history and nowhere to go, Cassidy returned to Washington. She and her children crowded into her relative’s one-bedroom apartment. “We all just slept in the living room. It was so crowded,” she said.
Finally, six months later, Cassidy was accepted into one of HOSWWA’s subsidized apartments. The apartment was small, but it was safe, and it was the fresh start she needed. With stable housing, Cassidy was able to pursue education, find meaningful work, and provide a safe, nurturing environment for her children. It allowed her to shift from survival mode to a place of purpose and empowerment. She enrolled in the Family Self-Sufficiency program and is well on her way to saving for a home of her own.
Today, Cassidy is a Community Health Worker, a Certified Peer Support Specialist, and a Supported Housing and Employment Advocate. Her dedication and lived experience made her a powerful guiding voice for others. “I remember feeling so alone in California. I know what that felt like. That’s why I do what I do. At the end of the day, I feel good about myself.”