Cecilia* arrived at the House of the Good Shepherd Ministry at Mary’s House 17 months ago. She escaped domestic violence with her young son and found the community at House of the Good Shepherd Ministry at Mary’s House to be the support she needed to start over.  

She’s witnessed mothers who arrive nervous and leave the safety of the shelter, returning to their abusers. “Sometimes, it takes seven times before a mother can say, ‘Enough is enough,’” Cecilia said. But for the mothers who stay, they build a better future for themselves and their children, just like she has.  

With the support of the team at the House of the Good Shepherd Ministry at Mary’s House, Cecilia earned an associate’s degree in general studies. She beams with pride at this accomplishment and shares her plans for a career working with survivors, inspired by the knowledge of how escaping her situation positively impacted her and her young son.  

*Name changed for privacy