When Sabrina packed her children and belongings into a car and left Tennessee, she wasn’t relocating—she was fleeing.
Their estranged father had just been released from jail, and fear took the wheel. “We panicked,” Sabrina said. “Took a few days to throw everything we owned into storage and then hit the road.”
But even after escaping, safety remained out of reach. A few weeks later, he found them again. Sabrina and her children spent the next month at the Voice Shelter, and another at the Lawrence County Crisis Shelter—trying to keep ahead of danger while grasping for stability.
During that time, Sabrina began working with Catholic Charities to find a home. “Karen, our caseworker, worked magic,” she said. With the clock ticking at the shelter, Karen expedited inspections and approvals. And just in time, the family moved into a place of their own.
That one act of support was just the beginning.
Since then, Catholic Charities has continued to walk with Sabrina—helping with rent, utilities, and referrals. “They even made Christmas happen for my family last year.”
Now, almost a year later, Sabrina stands in a space that’s stable, warm, and hers. For the first time in nearly 20 years, she has no delinquent bills. She has her own bank account. Credit cards in her name. Her kids are flourishing.
And they can all breathe.
“Looking back at where we were a year ago compared to now… all I can say is wow. And maybe cry a little for a good reason.”