Season of Sharing: Helping women get back on their feet

Nov. 17--SARASOTA -- Christian Hind helps her clients leave their battered lives behind. She gives sanctuary to survivors of domestic violence and helps them repair tattered egos. She's the lead domestic violence victim advocate at Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center in Sarasota.

Hind also helps draw a road map to recovery for these people, most of whom are women. That's often the hardest part, Hind said. Few financial blows can quite compare to leaving an abusive relationship.

That's because the majority of domestic abuse survivors don't have control over family bank accounts. They're often prohibited from working or their credit scores have been decimated by an abusive partner.

"When they come to us, they are starting over," Hind said. "Some are on the verge of homelessness. Others have children or have no clear way forward."

Most are hindered by the cost of child care, a month's rent, a car payment or repair. Sometimes something as little as a utility bill is the price that makes getting from here to there a success. Most of the women Hind sees daily can't afford to make that payment.

For those who qualify, SPARCC offers a small assistance -- a $1,000 check made possible by Season of Sharing. That's the community-wide fundraising partnership that helps area families on the verge of homelessness. Without it, finding outside funding for such a service would be a challenge for a nonprofit such as SPARCC, Hind said.

That money makes a huge difference, said Kelly Schweers, who helps survivors of domestic violence navigate Department of Children and Families investigations and runs a weekly support group.

"When you're starting life from scratch, what might seem like a small assistance could be life-changing," Schweers said.

Case studies

That difference was seen recently.

There was a young mother, months away from fleeing her abusive relationship. She'd been living with family as she juggled a part-time job, college and raising a son. Her car broke down and she was able to tap into that $1,000 for repairs.

And then there was the mom who came into one of SPARCC's shelters. The nonprofit helped her get a job so that she could save enough for an apartment. That $1,000 from Season of Sharing went toward a security deposit.

For a handful of area nonprofits, it's a go-to option in their toolbox, said Ashley Brown, the president and CEO of the Women's Resource Center.

The Women's Resource Center often picks up where SPARCC leaves off. It helps women regain independence after a devastating loss, divorce or layoff. Their clients are diverse.

Sometimes it's someone wanting to invest in a home or preparing for retirement. Other times it's women like Gina Lowe, who lost her job and needed a leg up.

Last February, Lowe's decades-long career as a social worker came to an end. For years she helped juveniles, addicts and people with a mental health diagnosis find work. The 59-year-old never thought she'd need those services, too.

"The irony of that is still unbelievable," said Lowe. "I'm using the same services that I used to send people to."

Lowe spent nine months struggling to keep her $880 apartment -- almost impossible to do with $192 worth of food stamps, small donations and an occasional odd job. She eventually had to move in with her mother.

By the time Gina was able to find work at the Mental Health Community Center, she was ready for independence. She just needed a little bit to pay for a security deposit.

Through the Women's Resource Center, Lowe received $1,000 from Season of Sharing to pay for a security deposit.

"I think people hear this all the time," Lowe said. "You don't know you need help until you need help. I just thank God that he guided me through this and that there are people out there who can help."

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