Before Esperanza found AACI, she and her 2 daughters were living in her car in a church parking lot.  

Esperanza is a Colombian immigrant who settled in Santa Clara County after driving for four days across the country to escape domestic violence and find safety. Over 10 years ago, she immigrated to the U.S., and two years after that, she met her now ex-husband at work and got married shortly after. 

Soon, she had her daughters and remained home, caring for them, as the family struggled to pay bills. Her partner began abusing drugs in the home and financially abusing her by using his sole income for the household to pay for drugs. Esperanza described his drug use made him like “a zombie.” His financial abuse continued as he stole jewelry, cash, and valuable items from Esperanza. She even had to cancel her bank cards after he became physically violent when she refused to give him access. After this, his physical abuse toward Esperanza continued and escalated to targeting their oldest daughter. 

This was her last straw — Esperanza left the violent marriage and started raising her daughters alone without issues — until a new boyfriend began emotionally abusing and stalking her. He carried a knife and Esperanza “began fearing for her life.” “He was tech savvy,” and tracked her phone location, and later he slashed her car tires. Esperanza called the police and filed a report, but he retaliated and forcefully entered her apartment to attack her and her daughters. She made the incredibly brave choice to start over again and relocate to California’s Bay Area.  

With just the clothes on them and few belongings that could fit in their car, Esperanza and her two daughters made the 4-day journey across the country, sleeping in parking lots at night. The family made the most of it though, with Esperanza sharing how “it was a beautiful drive, and the girls were amazed at seeing new environments.” After arriving in CA, she found Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice & Empowerment, a local organization that provides housing assistance as well as immigration and sponsorship support, and citizenship and English as a Second Language classes, and was safely hoteled for one night before being referred to AACI.  

Advocates at AACI Asian Women’s Home enrolled her in housing programs to support her in establishing a new home in CA. Using her remaining savings and with support from friends, Esperanza was able to lease an apartment. Esperanza and “[her] girls were literally jumping with joy when they moved into their new home.” 

But she still had challenges ahead as she struggled to pay rent. Her Housing Advocate helped her by providing rental assistance and purchasing groceries and furniture for the family. Esperanza said someone at AACI “would always answer [her] calls,” and that she “always felt supported” by her Housing Advocate, and he said, “She has not given up regardless of the circumstances.” 

The family is no longer sleeping in a church parking lot and now has a safe place to call home. Esperanza maintains a close relationship with the priest and his church, where she now sells homemade arepas, while her employment authorization card is pending. Her main priority now is managing their household tasks, like paying bills and obtaining her driver’s license, but she hopes to start taking English as a Second Language classes again. Esperanza and her two girls are happy, and she is working toward her goal of financial independence and self-empowerment. Thanks to the support from AACI Asian Women’s Home, Esperanza and her family are on the road to healing and starting anew.

To learn more about AACI Asian Women’s Home (AWH) program, please visit Asian Women’s Home | Help Domestic Violence Survivors | AACI.