Stephanie's story

I stayed at Shifra Homes because I was with my ex-boyfriend and I was living with him and his family and it was not a good relationship. He was mentally, emotionally and verbally abusive; his parents were like that too. I decided to leave his house when I was about 3 months pregnant because I knew if I stayed and they found out, that they would fight with me and try and force me into getting an abortion and if I didn’t they would kick me out. I went into a women’s shelter the day I decided I was not going hide my pregnancy anymore. I left work early, packed my things and left. After that my ex and his family became rude and his dad began harassing and threatening me and my family. My mom thought it would be better for me and safer to get out of Hamilton so I came to a Burlington Shelter, stayed for a few weeks and both the shelter and my mom told me about Shifra Homes. Now that I’ve been here and I’ve gotten to know Nancy and Lisa, it’s been amazing. They have been there for me through everything, I can talk to them about anything and they’ll be there. They take really good care of us here, and since being here with them I don’t feel stressed out anymore, it’s amazing what they do and who they are. Nancy will do everything and anything for us and to see us happy. I love her. If it was not for this house and these women I really would not be who I am today. I would not know what to do in raising a child or how to deal with stress or depression. I greatly appreciate all that I’ve been blessed with.