Finding light at the end of an abusive tunnel.

Creating change in life is not easy. But with the help of the advocates and staff at Crossroads Safehouse, victims of domestic abuse, like the mother and her children mentioned below, can find the light at the end of an abusive tunnel – even during the holiday season.

I left an abusive marriage in 2012 and went to Crossroads Safehouse with my two daughters who were 10 and 13 years old at the time. I had tried to leave my ex-husband several times before, but this time finally stuck. It was the scariest and most difficult thing I have done. I knew for a long time that my ex had anger problems, but I always wanted to keep trying to work it out. I didn’t want to give up on us or on our family.

After another explosive episode, I decided to call a national domestic violence hotline. I talked to a kind and caring person who referred me to my local safe house, Crossroads Safehouse.

I will never forget the calm and dedicated approach of my advocate at Crossroads. In talking to her I found the courage to leave my relationship. Looking back on it I’m sure she was simply doing her job, but to me, she seemed like an angel. She listened to me, she believed in me, and she helped me discover my own strength.

All of the staff at Crossroads were a rock-solid anchor for me. Their support helped me stay as grounded as possible in a time I felt my life was spinning out of control. My advocate told me about the book “Why Does He Do That?” by Lundy Bancroft. This book was instrumental in helping me see the abuse cycle that had been happening over and over. I knew the staff at Crossroads couldn’t fix my life. They couldn’t take the pain away or make everything better. But they were there, offering me support, and they were available every time I reached out for help.

Crossroads offered me many different services including supporting me with court matters. Someone even went with me to court, so I didn’t have to go by myself. They never tried to make any decisions for me, but just stood beside me in whatever decisions I made for my life.

I pressed charges against my ex and Crossroads provided a safe room where my oldest daughter and I could each talk to the law enforcement officer.

We happened to be at Crossroads over the Christmas holiday which of course was pretty depressing for us. But the staff showered my daughters and me with gifts and truly made us feel welcomed and cared for.

Crossroads also provided information about resources in the community for therapists and a divorce lawyer. I’m so happy I made this change in my life and got my daughters and me to a safe place. Leaving my marriage was not easy, but with the services I received and the many resources here in Fort Collins, I have made it through.

My daughters and I have come a long way in the past seven years. I was able to go back to school and complete my master’s degree in 2018 and am now a family nurse practitioner. This past year I even started volunteering at Crossroads Safehouse. It feels pretty good to be in a position to give back.

~Shared by a past Crossroads Safehouse resident.