Survivor Stories
“Thank you for giving me hope when I felt like I had none. Thank you for showing me that normal was not threatening to take away my kids and everything my kids would need. I love that you saw me broken and still didn’t treat me like I was not able. You saw someone who needed help and loved me through the garbage, thank you. I still have a hard time speaking up, but I remember you and think you’re worth speaking up for, just like you showed up for me. Thank you for being the lighthouse that got me through some of the darkest times and helped me not give up on staying no matter what, for my children, most of all. I totally understand for anyone who couldn’t stay, it’s not okay for anyone to threaten to take away everything including one’s children just because they’re scared the spouse will leave. That is not love”
"This is not based on opinion, rather a very personal experience I have had with them that exemplifies their importance in the lives of myself and many others. Exactly one year ago, I was involved in a violent, domestic abuse situation that left my three children and I without a home. I had just moved to Valley County less than a month prior and had no contacts or family resources of any kind. The night of the incident, I was still bruised and bleeding when a woman showed up at my door. My ex-husband had fled to avoid being arrested and it was unsafe for me to stay in the home. She helped my children and I pack our belongings and took us to a local hotel where we would be out of harm’s way. Over the next several months, I was given immense support and was put in touch with several local resources. These resources:
- Helped me find a home to live in
- Put food on my table
- Located childcare I could afford on my own
- Assisted in the preparation of court documents
- Prepared me for the rigorous legal battle
- Offered emotional support
These are but a few of the many ways that Rise Up 2 Thrive has impacted my life. I am stable, on my feet, and providing for my children well. Without this vital community resource, I could not imagine succeeding as I have. My life was thrown into unthinkable chaos in the course of a single night. Rise Up 2 Thrive helped me weather the storm that would have otherwise broken me down. They. Are. Essential"
“Rise Up 2 Thrive is a vital part of our community. Seven years ago, my daughter's father violently attacked me. I was completely alone with a six month old baby and had to face the hard decision of testifying against him in court. Kacie was there for me every step of the way, always asking if I needed anything, making me see that I wasn't alone, pointing me to resources, and explaining to me how domestic abuse works and that I wasn't the problem. Kacie showed me, and I have in turn had the ability to show others, that what happened to me wasn't normal, wasn't okay, and had a name. She gave me many skills and resources that allowed me to stay away from my attacker and to move on with my life. One year ago, nearly six years later, I was the victim of a date-gone-wrong in which an abusive man with a long history of violence against women pointed a firearm at my head. Again, Kacie helped me have the courage to testify in court against him and to help make sure that this kind of violence wouldn't happen to the next girl. Rise Up 2 Thrive provided me with door alarms and additional locks for my home, helping me feel more secure at night. Kacie stood by my side as I testified in a jury trial and stayed with me during court breaks and afterward as we awaited the jury's decision. Kacie has become an extremely well respected member of our community by my family and others, who know her contributions to this community and make sure they do not go unnoticed, especially by those of us who have needed support the most. As I move forward, away from this part of my life, I look for opportunities to support Rise Up 2 Thrive so the next victim has all the same support and resources that were available to me. The community has many non-profits, but few that I see as necessary and deserving as Rise Up 2 Thrive.
"Kacie with rise up to thrive was the best outcome I could have hoped for. She hugged me with so much love and comfort, she even helped me hobble down the stairs n get in her car. Rise up to thrive had already gotten me a place to stay for the night and Kacie even brought me some ice cream and clothes to go to bed in later that evening. The next day within a couple hours and a few phone calls she found me a safe place to recover and personally drove me back to boise. I couldn't shut up the whole ride there just telling her my whole life story and bawling my eyes out. I've never had someone so genuinely kind in my life. Through her efforts and resources at rise up to thrive I'm finally getting on my feet. I'm blessed to have started this journey with such a soft hearted strong willed woman. I aspire to be more like her every day and am so grateful for her support, kindness and understanding. Thank you so much for choosing such a hard career path and somehow keeping such a big warm heart!! YOU ARE MY HERO!!!”