Life without limits
LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS
Heels on the Move to Heels is a fantastic charity event focused on helping victims empower themselves. I know from experience how important this is. Many people who are victims of abuse, domestic violence, or sexual assault can find it challenging to leave the situation. Kia D, the founder of Heels on the Move to Heal 501(c)3, started the organization to give survivors shoes, resources and much needed support. Kia, a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, made a split-second decision to leave her abuser. She didn't even have time to put shoes on her feet when she left the situation. Kia is an inspiration to survivors.
This project spoke to me because I'm a rape survivor. Survivors need support from charities like Heels on the Move to Heal. As a survivor of sexual assault, it took me half of my life to come to terms with what happened to me. I was a teenager, and my family never talked about sex. My lack of understanding meant that I was easily confused. Over a decade later, I still struggle with the pain of having taken back my claim of assault. I was confused and scared. Like many victims, I felt as though I was to blame for what happened. Sadly, victims often shut out the world and blame themselves for abuse, and abusers are often great manipulators. This manipulation can cut connections between victims and their loved ones; severing these connections is devastating. I've struggled for years to connect with other people; I was always afraid of being hurt or thrown away. My teens and early twenties were a roller coaster ride. I jumped from one toxic relationship to another, seeking the love and approval while thinking that I was an awful person and believing that I wasn't worthy of love and respect. My poor self-image meant that I got into a cycle of abusive partners and self-harm. When I found a support system, I finished college, became a published writer, and came out as bisexual.
Being a victim is scary and confusing, and very lonely. My world opened up when I found a supportive community. The message of Heels on the Move to Heal is a message of victim empowerment and letting victims know that they aren't alone; victim support is vital to the healing process. Please give to this charity help victims get shoes and moral support so that they may begin to heal. For more information or to donate go to www.heelsonthemovetoheal.org/
Keely Messino
Creative Content Writer
After The Lights Go Out hosted by Kia D feat. Chrystal Castillo and Alex Harris
After The Lights Go Out hosted by Kia D feat. Author and Blogger Chrystal Castillo and Singer Alex Harris.
Call in 563-999-3456
http://www.alexharrisofficial.com/music-2
https://wetalkradio.com/he-is-re-inventing-me/
Turn Up Tuesday's hosted by Mz. Unpredictable Part 2
Turn Up Tuesday's hosted by Mz. Unpredictable Part 2`
Turn Up Tuesday's hosted by Mz. Unpredictable
Turn Up Tuesday's hosted by Mz. UnpredictableTurn Up Tuesday's hosted by Mz. Unpredictable
Flying Free Financially
Escaping Abuse Through Financial Freedom
Abuse is a complex issue that affects its victims beyond the pain and suffering of domestic violence and sexual assault. It destabilizes a victim’s entire world, complicating their path to healing, and one of the biggest hurdles that victims often must overcome as they work to move from victim to survivor is that of achieving financial freedom. A 2014 report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs and The Financial Clinic entitled “Barriers to Building Financial Security for Survivors of Domestic Violence” lists economic abuse as “one of the biggest obstacles to a survivor exiting an abusive relationship,” either tying victims to their abusers indefinitely or leaving those fleeing from abusive situations to suffer from financial ruin. Victims will often become “unbanked” for a number of reasons, ranging from being financially tied to their abusers through joint banking accounts, to not being able to provide a proof of address if they happen to be staying in a shelter. The impact of financial security on how abusers operate cannot be emphasized enough, with the Allstate Foundation calling it “the number one indicator of whether a domestic violence victim will stay, leave, or return to an abusive relationship.” In addition to raising awareness on the issues of domestic abuse and sexual assault and collecting donations of clothing and basic necessities for survivors, Heels on the Move to Heal is also focused on providing financial support to survivors, including for housing and utilities payments, transportation costs and more. This money is distributed year-round to survivors in order to get them what they need to be able to get back on their feet. Partnering with, First United Bank this organization is also taking direct action to help unbanked survivors establish a positive financial history that they can build upon as they look to rebuild their lives. The sad reality is that the cycle of abuse does not just end when a survivor leaves their abuser. The encouraging news is that organizations like Heels on the Move to Heal understand this challenge and are working tirelessly to address all aspects of the healing cycle.
Hillary Lynch
Creative Content Writer/PR Intern
Shine Lord Radio hosted by B. Ray Rewind 1st Ladies
Shine Lord Radio hosted by B. Ray Rewind 1st Ladies
Brand New Day with Emily Blue co-host DeAnn Lax Rewind
Brand New Day with Emily Blue co-host DeAnn Lax Rewind