Lillie’s Story: A Journey from Fear to Freedom
The Journey from Fear
Lillie had endured 18 years of abuse—physical, emotional, and financial. For nearly two decades, she lived under the shadow of a man who controlled every part of her life. She wasn’t just afraid; she was hunted. Stalked. Harassed. Threatened with death.
The day she walked through the doors of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, she was running for her life. The Domestic Violence High Risk Team knew that if they didn’t act fast, she might not survive. They gave her options, a plan, and the support she needed to make an impossible decision—leave everything behind and step into the unknown.
That same day, Lillie and her youngest daughter entered The Bridge emergency shelter, escaping an active homicidal threat. But leaving wasn’t enough. Even in the shelter, her abuser tried to find her, to intimidate her, to remind her that he still had control. He was wrong.
The Journey to Freedom
With the help of The Bridge, Lillie fought back. Advocates stood beside her every step of the way—securing legal protections, helping her navigate the criminal justice system, and connecting her to vital resources. She bravely faced her abuser in court, securing a five-year Protective Order. She could breathe without fear for the first time in nearly two decades.
But survival isn’t enough. Lillie wanted more than to escape—she wanted to thrive.
With the support of The Bridge, she found safe, stable housing where her abuser could never reach her again. She’s building a new life, taking steps toward independence, learning job skills, and rediscovering the strength that had been buried under years of fear.
She no longer wonders if she’ll survive the night. Now, she dreams about her future.
But Lillie’s story isn’t just hers—it belongs to every woman still trapped in the cycle of abuse, every mother terrified for her children’s safety, and every survivor who needs a way out.
Your donation to The Bridge Over Troubled Waters ensures that when the next Lillie calls for help, we can answer. It gives safety. It gives hope. It saves lives.
