A new mother gets a new beginning - Emily's story

“I was 37 weeks pregnant when I became homeless after escaping domestic violence.”

Trapped in violence

Emily* was just 22 years old and heavily pregnant when she found herself facing a terrifying decision.

Trapped in a violent relationship, she knew she had to leave to protect her baby. But escaping wasn’t simple. Emily feared what might happen if she spoke up or tried to get help.

“I hadn’t come forward about the domestic violence, so I was terrified they would take my baby away when she was born.”

One day, when her partner was arrested for an assault, Emily knew that might be her only chance to escape.

Nowhere to go

“I thought, this is my way out. I left the night he was arrested. I didn’t have a home to take my baby to. I was 37 weeks pregnant and homeless, but I knew I had to get out while I could.”

Emily managed to pay for a night in a cheap motel, but the next day, she had nowhere stable to go. Heavily pregnant, she moved between couches and temporary places, carrying around with her everything she owned, constantly stressed and worried about the future — not just for herself, but also her soon-to-be-born baby.

“I’d never lived out of a bag before. I was going from couches to motel rooms, and I couldn’t see things getting better.”

Feeling scared and overwhelmed, Emily finally found the courage to reach out to The Salvation Army for help.

That call changed everything.

Stability and support just in time

Through The Salvation Army, Emily was connected with a dedicated case worker named Jackie, who quickly arranged emergency accommodation so Emily and her newborn baby would have somewhere safe to stay.

As Emily’s due date approached, Jackie worked urgently to find a stable home for the young mother and her baby. And just in time, the good news came.

“Five hours into labour, Jackie called and said, ‘I’ve found you a house!’” tells Emily. “I was so grateful. So happy to have a roof over my baby’s head. The Salvos are amazing.”

When Emily left hospital a week later with her newborn daughter, Hannah, in her arms, she wasn’t heading to a shelter or temporary accommodation — she was going home.

Today, Emily and Hannah have the safety and stability every family deserves.

“I was so grateful to have a roof over my baby’s head,” says Emily today. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the Salvos.”

Thanks to the kindness and support of compassionate people, Emily was able to escape violence, find a home, and begin building a future filled with hope for herself and her daughter.

^{*To protect Emily’s privacy, her name and some details of her story have been changed.}