Survivor spotlight: Candice & Maddie

As 2020 comes to an end, you may be reflecting on what you gave up.

The canceled coffees, cocktail hours, dinner dates, concerts, weekend getaways, graduations, fundraiser galas and more.

You gave it all up, but now you can GIVE IT ALL BACK.

GIVE IT ALL BACK. The cost of the coffees and cocktails you missed, the tips you didn’t leave, the Ubers you didn’t take and the plane tickets or cocktail attire you didn’t purchase.

 GIVE IT ALL BACK, this GivingTuesday by supporting local, supporting nonprofits, supporting your community, and most importantly, supporting survivors like Candice and Maddie.*

Candice and Maddie, had nowhere to go.

They had fled from Chicago to Milwaukee to escape the abuse from Candice’s ex-boyfriend. After sleeping in the bus station, they were kicked out and on the streets. A kind stranger suggested calling Sojourner’s 24-hour hotline.

Candice made the call. After talking with an Advocate, she and Maddie were admitted to Sojourner’s emergency shelter.

She had experienced trauma her whole life, and even though she was safe, she had a hard time adjusting to living in shelter and focusing on her future. Although Candice sometimes felt her situation was impossible, the Sojourner team patiently worked with her to make sure she understood her options. Candice set a goal: She wanted an apartment of her own.

Sojourner staff helped Candice obtain her ID and birth certificate, which she needed to begin receiving public benefits. Her Case Manager got her on the Coordinated Entry housing priority list and after a few weeks, Candice was eligible for the Rapid Re-Housing Program. Her Sojourner Case Manager worked closely with her housing case manager and eventually, Candice was able to obtain housing.

Despite all the hardships she had endured, Candice’s perseverance, combined with the support she received from Sojourner and partner agencies, paid off. Candice made her goal a reality when she and Maddie moved out of Sojourner’s emergency shelter and into their new home.

*Names changed for privacy and safety.

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