Once a Graduate, Now a Donor-Afi's Story

Afi came to Women’s Empowerment to escape domestic violence - she needed safety for herself and her daughter. She was punched, strangled, shoved and finally pushed to her limit. She was fortunate to find a safe place at a shelter for women and children.

This was not how she imagined her story.  She was an art teacher for young adolescents with a dual degree in Fine Arts and Arts Education from Pratt Institute. She loved  her  job and students. But, when her partner started stalking her at school – the teachers became uncomfortable and she had to leave. She escaped with only $5 in her pocket a baby girl nursing in her arms and world of fear in her heart. 

When living at Serna, a supported living program, she realized that she  needed a total change. She was lost among strangers without a clue of what direction she needed to take.  She heard about Women’s Empowerment through a neighbor who wanted help finding a job but she was anxious to go alone. She was a bit arrogant at first thinking she didn’t need to learn to write a resume –she had a college degree. But, a lesson she could learn was self discovery. Afi states, “ I didn’t know what my favorite color was, or how to decorate my house, or even how I liked my eggs. I always cooked the kind of eggs others told me to make. I was lost.”

At Women’s Empowerment she learned that it was okay to not know what kind of eggs she liked. It was okay not to know how she wanted to wear her hair. It was okay to be confused. She was allowed safety and support to discover her truth. She was allowed trial and error.  Women’s Empowerment helped her discover…herself. 

Today, Afi has a job she loves. She lives in her own home with her beautiful daughter.  She is happy to say, “I pay rent, utility bills and taxes. My home is filled with gifts from others who care.”

She goes on to say, “My daughter is a little ball of sunshine and marches to her own drum and she relishes life. I love that she has strong opinions and she is not afraid to share them. She has clear boundaries for herself and others and expects them to be respected. Her confidence shows me that I have done something right.”

As a Family Resource Specialist at Birth and Beyond, she teaches parenting classes and does case management. The purpose of her job is to help prevent child abuse. She feels empowered to teach parents how to make parenting a pleasure, making crafts together, and how to relate positively with their children. “Much of what I teach comes from what I experienced – through the dark times and through my healing at Women’s Empowerment” reflects Afi.

“Women’s Empowerment works: it saved my life and my daughter’s life. I was once a victim and a homeless mother.  Now I am empowered and a donor.” Afi gets tremendous pleasure and pride giving to Women's Empowerment, so other women and their children can break free from the darkness of violence and poverty. “I ask you to do the same. I promise you your gift will change lives” appeals Afi to anyone willing to listen. 

Her story is one of hope, love, and eternal gratitude. To join Afi in supporting Women's Empowerment please click here to make an easy online donation.