Claudia Flores, LCSW | May 2025 Newsletter
At 5:00 a.m. one quiet morning, Amanda picked up the phone and dialed the Radiant Futures helpline. On the other end, she found a voice that listened to her, it was a lifeline in a moment of deep despair. Amanda, a 52-year-old mother of four, was navigating an abusive relationship with her most recent partner. The abuse she endured was not only physical but verbal, emotional, and psychological, a persistent harm that left invisible scars. Her youngest child, then 13 years old, was still living with her, and Amanda knew something had to change.
That early morning call marked the beginning of Amanda’s healing journey with Radiant Futures. She was soon connected to the Personal Empowerment Program (PEP) and Parenting classes. Although hesitant at first, she showed up, quietly, cautiously and step by step, began exploring what healing could look like.
“I never liked counseling,” Amanda confessed. Her past experiences with court-mandated therapy had left her feeling misunderstood and dismissed. But something about the environment at Radiant Futures felt different. After a few weeks of engaging in psychoeducational classes, Amanda made a bold decision: she would give individual counseling another try.
Amanda began counseling while living in a sober living home, newly committed to sobriety. With only a few weeks of being sober, she was physically and emotionally exhausted. Still, she showed up to every session, never missing one. Her goal was simple yet powerful—to reconnect with herself, build a healthier bond with her youngest child, and restore a relationship with her sister, her only steady support outside of the program.
During counseling, Amanda spoke openly about her history of trauma, dating back to her childhood. Trust had never come easy; she had lived most of her life in survival mode. But in time, Amanda found something she never expected to feel in a therapeutic space—safety. Her therapist invited her to sit with her emotions, to feel them in her body rather than run from them. Vulnerability, once seen as a weakness, became a doorway to healing. “This time, it was my choice to do it,” Amanda said, “and for the first time in my life, I feel powerful.”
One of Amanda’s biggest breakthroughs came when she chose to challenge her discomfort with group settings. Previously convinced that support groups weren’t for her, Amanda began to attend Survive to Thrive, one of Radiant Futures’ many trauma-informed support groups. Through this space, she explored the lingering effects of trauma and began fostering personal growth among a community of fellow survivors.
Her journey didn’t stop there. She was connected with Radiant Futures’ Key Housing services, where she worked closely with a Housing Advocate. Through this connection, Amanda gained access to basic needs and housing-related assistance—relieving burdens so she could continue focusing her energy on her emotional healing journey.
Today, almost a year since that 5:00 a.m. call, Amanda stands in her power. Her story reminds us that healing isn’t always linear—it’s layered, courageous, and deeply personal. At Radiant Futures, we are honored to walk beside survivors like Amanda who are rewriting their stories in strength, safety, and self-determination.
Your ongoing support makes these journeys possible. Because of you, survivors like Amanda don’t just survive. They thrive. Each of us have the power to make a difference. If you or someone you know can benefit from our Counseling Services, including the Community Support Groups, please contact the 24-hour Helpline at (877) 531-5522 for more information.