About me
My name is Maria Enriquez. I am an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico. I was a victim of domestic violence.
Three years ago, I was in a great depression suffering from domestic violence and did not know what to do. Someone told me to call the YWCA. I spoke to an advocate on the phone who listened to me and validated my feelings. I felt isolated and lost so I went to the YWCA in person.
I visited with the advocate several times, and she invited me to come to the support group and explained that the group was made up of other women who also had been through domestic violence and/or sexual assault. There I was going to know that I was not the only one and that I was not alone that they too had a story.
Today I am a survivor. I still live with my abuser but have learned to put boundaries and limits in my relationship. The group gave me strength, a voice and empowerment. Today I am a promotora. I am there to help other women like me who do not know or do not have access to the services that are available especially for them.
The YWCA gave me back my self-esteem, the freedom to laugh, it gave me strength, hope, courage and most of all my life.
