At 29, Maya worked as a teacher’s assistant. To acquaintances and co-workers, she and her 6-year-old son seemed happy. She was new to Richmond, having moved from North Carolina to build a life with her partner. The first few months were everything she hoped for—warm, exciting, and full of promise.
But slowly, things changed.
FACING ISOLATION
Her partner became increasingly controlling, questioning her relationships with friends and family back home. Bit by bit, Maya found herself isolating from the people who loved her most. Soon, he began timing how long she was gone when she left the house. The first time he hit her was during an argument about her wanting to visit her family. The violence escalated. One night, after she came home later than usual from taking her son out for ice cream and a movie, he struck her again. That was the moment Maya knew something had to change—but she was terrified and didn’t know where to turn.
FINDING RESOURCES
Maya first learned about YWCA Richmond’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services at a community event where the organization had a resource table. Weeks later, when she finally gathered the courage to call the 24/7 hotline, she had no idea what to expect. On the phone, she shared for the first time the mental and physical abuse she had been enduring in her two-year relationship. Though she wasn’t ready to leave immediately, the hotline advocate helped her build a safety plan and connected her to case management and counseling.
Over the next few months, Maya worked closely with her counselor and case manager to navigate the fear, anxiety, and emotional toll of the abuse. Together, they explored what a safe, stable future could look like for her and her son. She learned that leaving is often the most dangerous moment for survivors, so her team helped her prepare step by step—strengthening her confidence and courage along the way.
A NEW CHAPTER
When she was ready, Maya and her son entered YWCA Richmond’s emergency shelter for short-term safety. Once she secured permanent housing, the YWCA covered her deposit and two months of rental assistance. She was connected to a community partner where she selected furniture for her new home, and YWCA financial assistance covered the cost—allowing Maya to start fresh with dignity.
Today, a year later, Maya and her son are safe, stable, and thriving. She has rebuilt a strong support system and reclaimed her independence. Maya often shares that she is deeply grateful for the compassion, guidance, and resources she received from YWCA Richmond—support that helped her begin again.
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