Hidden Valley House
Auxiliary
HELP, HOPE AND HEALING
An illustrative story inspired by survivors’ experiences at Hidden Valley House Shelter
NOTE: Areas highlighted are examples of ways our Auxiliary provides support to the survivors staying at the Hidden Valley House shelter.
I knew I needed to get out. One call to the hotline made me feel like it was finally possible. I realized there were people equipped and ready to give me support that I didn’t even know I needed. The day I moved into Hidden Valley House Shelter, I was greeted by a gentle young woman who helped me carry my things to a sparse but clean and welcoming room. There was a homemade quilt on the bed, a teddy bear for my son that he quickly hugged and asked, “Can I keep him?” I felt a sense of relief to tell him “Of course you can, he’s yours”. There were three cheery Welcome Bags on the table by the bed, one for me with shampoo, sweet smelling lotion, and other necessities along with another specially made for my son and even one for the baby. Another sigh of relief.
"Can I keep him?"
I felt a sense of relief to tell him "Of course you can, he's yours".
While on a tour of the facility, I was shown the fully stocked kitchen with fresh fruit and veggies, an extensive selection of meat, canned goods, milk, snacks–everything I need to prepare meals for my son and even formula for the baby. I also found out that a special holiday meal was being delivered on the weekend for all the residents. I promised my boy that tomorrow we’d make blueberry muffins just like we always did together.
There was a kids’ room equipped with toys, books, and games that lit up my son’s eyes. He immediately gravitated to a puzzle and brought it to the floor, dumping out the pieces. There were computers available for me to begin my job search and email my parents and let them know I was safe and cared for during this transition. We stopped at the outdoor play equipment and I pushed my kids on the swings before heading to the brightly painted laundry room to wash the few things that we were able to take with us. I was grateful to see a well-stocked Clothes Closet and found some shorts for my son, three outfits for the baby, and even some new yoga pants and sneakers for me.
After the trauma and sadness we have had to endure, I am grateful for the thoughtfulness of the staff and the resources offered at Hidden Valley House. Their kindness and guidance has provided us with a glimmer of hope for our family.
Tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment for the kids’ check ups and the office staff said they’d arrange for an Uber to give us a ride. That will get us back to the shelter in time for our counseling session and some special blueberry muffin baking to boot!