A Latina single mother named Emilia (name changed for privacy) walked into the center. She was tired, uncertain, and clearly troubled. She had been struggling to pay her rent for weeks, and every day woke up with the same, unrelenting fears: would she be evicted today? Would the landlord demand that she and her children leave? Would they be left without a home?
But these weren’t the only fears Emilia had running through her mind day after day. Her son had been bullied at school recently, tormented by his classmates for being an immigrant and taunted with the threat that his mother might be deported. These painful experiences had hurt her son deeply, and Emilia decided that she was going to keep him home from school. How else could she protect him from a world that seemed intent on breaking his spirit?
Without access to childcare, Emilia stayed home with her son. She lost hours at work and was unable to make enough money to afford rent.
This would have been difficult enough for anyone to deal with. But Emilia harbored a deep fear of her landlord because he had threatened her in the past. He had started making inappropriate sexual advances, threatening to evict Emilia or call the authorities if she didn’t give in to his demands.
Emilia felt she had no other choice but to comply. What other options did she have? What she did, she told herself, she did for her children.
But the stress, financial burdens, and the weight of her secret took their toll. Feeling hopeless, frightened for herself and her children, and unsure about the future, she came to Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center. Here, she knew it was safe for people like her; for people in Virginia’s Latino community looking for help, hope, and healing.
Our team listened to Emilia’s story, and comforted her as she spoke. It was only when a member of our staff explained that LIVE Center helps victims of sexual violence that something broke inside of her. Unable to carry the weight of her landlord’s brutality that she kept hidden for so long, it finally all spilled out right there in the LIVE Center offices. She explained how the landlord had used her fear to manipulate her. He knew she would do anything to keep her children safe, and he took advantage of that.
Emilia didn’t feel safe going to the police. There were significant language barriers, and even though she was in the country legally, she worried she would be judged for not being born in the U.S.. She didn’t even know if her story would even be believed. Instead, Emilia turned to LIVE Center, where she knew she would be respected, listened to, and supported. But our team did more than listen; we took action. We offered Emilia counseling to help process the trauma while also working to relocate her and her children to a safe living situation.
When Emilia first arrived, she was merely looking for someone willing to listen as she sought help to pay her rent. But she found much more: a community lifeline that let her know it was safer to seek help than to suffer in silence; a warm, inviting place that valued who she was, her experiences, and her humanity.
Together, we took steps to stop the abuse, empowered her to regain control over her life, and over time, reminded Emilia just how strong and capable she was.
Emilia’s story is one of many similar stories LIVE Center encounters on a daily basis. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the vulnerabilities that many in the Latino community face, the barriers they encounter, and the tremendous courage it takes to seek help.
We encourage members of Virginia’s Latino community who need help to seek it out. We understand what you’re going through; we see beyond labels and through fear; and we are dedicated to stopping all forms of violence and abuse to help you emerge a happier, healthier person.