Elena had always envisioned a warm and loving home for her family, filled with joy and laughter. However, for nearly a decade, her reality was anything but. She lived with her partner, the father of her child, enduring constant verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse. Despite the hardship, she clung to the hope that she could keep her family together. 

Everything changed one evening over something as simple as a video game. Frustrated, her partner threw the controller, and it struck their child in the face. He insisted it was an accident, but for Elena, it was the wake-up call she needed. Her heart pounded as she realized she could no longer stay. She reached out to our 24/7 helpline, where one of our center advocates answered her call. Together, they created a safety plan, and soon after, Elena and her son arrived at our emergency shelter. 

At first, her son was hesitant about his new surroundings, unsure of what to expect. But by his second visit to our childcare program, he was running inside, eager to see what his favorite center advocate had planned. He quickly found joy in playing soccer in our backyard, conducting science experiments, and building Lego airplanes. While Elena focused on healing, her son was learning and growing alongside her. 

As their time at Radiant Futures came to a close, staff celebrated the incredible progress they had made. Elena secured a place in a transitional housing program, ready for her next chapter. And thanks to the generosity of one of our donors, we had the chance to make one of her son’s dreams come true. On their graduation day, we took them to an LAFC soccer game, where they sat in the front row, picked out a jersey, and enjoyed a night filled with excitement. Watching her son light up with joy, Elena told us it was the happiest she had ever seen him. She captured a candid photo of him taking in the moment, knowing it would stay in her heart forever. 

But their journey didn’t end there. Elena enrolled in our Aftercare program, ensuring she had ongoing support as she built a new life. The same center advocate who welcomed her into shelter now has the privilege of checking in monthly, celebrating their successes and providing resources when challenges arise. 

“To see the impact, I and Radiant Futures made on this family strengthens me to keep advocating for every person who calls our helpline,” the center advocate shared. “I never realized that simply listening and instilling hope could change lives.” 

Elena’s story is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and resilience. Because of supporters like you, survivors like Elena can find safety, healing, and a future filled with possibility. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call our 24/7 helpline at 877-531-5522.