Madison and her husband had been struggling in their marriage for years. While she worked hard to maintain a calm and composed appearance in public, life at home was far from peaceful. For many years, she had endured his verbal and emotional abuse, hoping each time he would change because this was not the man she married. 

One night, the situation escalated, and her husband physically struck her. The commotion woke their daughter, Mia, who, in an attempt to protect her mother, tried to intervene. Still consumed with rage, he pushed Mia into a coffee table, leaving her with a bruised arm and a big knot on her forehead. 

This was the last step; Madison could no longer continue to hope for change. She took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she dialed the number for Radiant Futures. The organization had been a lifeline she’d heard about from a friend, a place where she might finally find the guidance and support, she knew she needed to leave. 

She met with a Center Advocate who was warm and reassuring, walking Madison through her options. With every question she asked and every answer she received, the weight on her chest began to lift, replaced by a glimmer of hope she hadn’t felt in years. This was it; she was taking the first steps toward reclaiming her life. 

The center advocate connected her with a legal advocate as Madison’s top priority was obtaining a restraining order.  Her second priority was moving out of their home and into Radiant Futures’ Bridge Housing Program.  She met with a housing advocate who helped her complete the paperwork and created a safety plan for Madison while she packed up her belongings to make the move.   

Once at home, Madison carefully and quickly began packing her and her daughter Mia’s belongings, knowing they couldn’t leave without Mia’s beloved cat, Mr. Whiskers. The tabby had been Mia’s companion since she was a toddler, and the thought of leaving without him was unthinkable.  She glanced around the small apartment, her hands trembling as she stuffed clothes into a worn duffel bag, all while keeping an ear out for any sign of her husband coming home from work. Time was running out, and every second felt like an eternity. 

Later that day, Madison and Mia left their home and entered Radiant Futures’ Safety Net Program. Recognizing the importance of keeping their family together, including their cat, Mr. Whiskers, Radiant Futures helped update the cat’s vaccination records, ensuring Mr. Whiskers could stay with them. 

While in our program, Madison worked closely with her housing advocate to develop a comprehensive safety plan. She was relieved to maintain her job while Mia continued attending the same school, minimizing disruptions to their lives. Despite working tirelessly, Madison couldn’t shake the constant worry about how she would earn enough to provide for their new life. Reassuringly, her housing advocate assisted her in applying for public benefits, including CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. Together, they reviewed her budget and identified transportation as a significant expense. To ease this burden, Madison received a monthly bus pass, from Radiant Futures, to reduce costs. 

With the help of her legal advocate, Madison successfully obtained a restraining order, providing an essential layer of protection for her and Mia.  She also initiated the process for divorce, and applied for child support to help secure a more stable future.  With these things in place, she was able to start focusing on long-term housing plans. 

Madison shared that having Mia’s cat with them during this transition has been a tremendous comfort for her daughter, helping her process the significant changes in their lives.  Madison had reached out to Radiant Futures as we currently are the only shelter in Orange County which accepts pets. For more information about our Safety Net Program, please contact our 24-hr helpline 877-531-5522.