Nisha is mother to two children and an instructional aide at a local youth daycare center, but for years, her life at home was anything but peaceful. Her husband’s emotional, verbal, and physical abuse left deep scars, not just on Nisha but also on their children, who feared their father’s arrival each evening and only felt relief when he left for work the next day. Life in their home was filled with tension, fear, and uncertainty.
The family had been in the U.S. for just a year, having immigrated from India and hoping for a fresh start without the abuse. However, despite working hard to cover rent and personal bills, Nisha was left stretching her limited resources just to keep her family fed. Though eligible for Cal Fresh benefits, her husband controlled her access to the funds, hiding the card and making it impossible for her to provide nutritious meals for her children.
Nisha’s challenges extended beyond her home. With no vehicle, she relied on public transportation to take her children to school, get to work, and run errands. She wanted to leave the situation, knowing her family’s safety and well-being were at risk, but her landlord would not allow her to break her lease, and he refused to renew the lease under her name alone, despite her many requests. Nisha faced the fear of leaving everything behind with limited knowledge of tenant rights and the daunting reality of trying to find a new place with her restricted income.
Still, Nisha was determined. She knew that staying wasn’t an option, and for the sake of her children, she had to move forward. A friend from work told her about Radiant Futures and she called our helpline.
After the phone call and much reflection, she met with a Housing Navigator who gave her the information she needed to get out of her lease and a legal advocate who helped her with a restraining order. She made the brave decision to leave and gave her landlord her 30-day notice. This was a huge step, one that showed her strength and hope for a better future.
With regular check-ins for support from her Housing Navigator, Nisha began searching for a new place in a different city. Slowly, she started packing up her life and preparing for a fresh start. Today, Nisha lives in a home of her own, with full access to food stamps, allowing her to provide for her children without worry. Her eldest child has enrolled in community college, marking a proud milestone for the entire family.
Nisha and her children’s new life is filled with hope, in a safer city, and far from their father who once overshadowed their days, she and her children have found peace. The journey wasn’t easy, but Nisha’s resilience created a new beginning for her family, one filled with love, safety, and opportunity.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call our 24/7 Helpline at 877-531-5522.