Do you know me?
I graduated college 15 years ago. I worked for a while as a manager at a local retail store and made enough money to take care of myself. When I was in my mid-twenties, I met my husband. He treated me so well – I was so excited to get married and start a family, and for a while, I was content to quit my job and stay home to take care of my kids. After a little while however, my husband started to hit me. He took my name off of the bank accounts, but made sure that all of our bills were in my name – that way, I had no access to money, but all of the bad credit that came with his overspending. I was scared to leave but was scared that my husband would begin to take out his anger on our kids. I had to run away but couldn’t stay with my sister who lives in the area because I knew he would find us. I am so scared – I have been out of work for so long, I am scared that no one will give me a chance to start over.
Can you see me? I am one of the many faces of Fairfax County’s homeless community. Please help the homeless be seen. This link will bring you to a page to find out what you can do to help the homeless in Fairfax County.