"Family Tree gave me two years to get back on my feet . . . 
They supported me all the way along."

After eight years together, Clarence began to use crack cocaine. He blamed Debra and their daughters for his need to escape through drugs. He had already begun abusing her, both physically and mentally. "He tortured and raped me through this whole ordeal," she said. "It takes you away from you; that's how I felt. You have no more control over you."

The first time Debra thought she was going to die was when he came to her work. Meeting her at lunch time in the parking lot, he took her car keys, grabbed her by the ear and yanked her into his car. Seated in the back, their four daughters would witness the tragedy that was just beginning.

As they traveled east on I-70, Clarence repeatedly punched her until her jaw was dislocated. At an Aurora off ramp, he slowed down, opened the door and pushed her out on to the pavement. A witness called the police. They arrested him on domestic violence charges, but since it was his first offense, he was released from jail after three days.

Debra had tried to leave him before. Each time he would find out where she was and, with violent threats, bring her home. This time she had to find safe, confidential shelter. But a shelter able to take a family of five was hard to find. After three weeks, she learned that Family Tree had enough space to accept them at their domestic violence shelter, Women In Crisis. It became her first refuge from the beating she had endured for 14 years.

During the last two years, Debra and her children have received through Family Tree a safe, affordable apartment and supportive services from Housing and Family Services. She also received counseling at Karlis Family Center.

"Family Tree gave me two years to get back on my feet," she said. "They supported me all the way along."

Debra has received her certified nursing assistant license and is employed full time. She has begun studying to achieve her dream of becoming a registered nurse. Her children also are making progress and are excelling in school.

"You have to really believe in yourself," she said. "When you do, things start changing. … I just keep holding my head up and keep going."