Feeling Safe
I moved from my home town in South Dakota to a Sioux Falls shelter who referred me to Call to Freedom. I was scared, sick and paranoid. I would only talk to my case manager if we rode around in the car. I needed a safe place and didn’t want to be tracked so I loved the option of Marissa’s House that Call to Freedom offered. There was a code to get in, alarms and cameras – safety!! I met other women I could share with. I got two part-time jobs, received medical care, worked on sobriety and went to a counselor.
After about six months at the house, my finances, health and self-esteem improved to where I felt comfortable in getting my own apartment. Call to Freedom helped me transition and continued to do case management with me. There are days I think I may have left too soon as I miss the day-to-day contact with staff and other residents and get a bit lonely, but I am comforted by their ongoing contact and open hearts. If I hadn’t had the care and consistency Call to Freedom provided and still provides, I don’t know what would have happened to me. I’m so glad I went on that ride with my case manager the first day I met her!