Marcea
My name is Marcea. I am twenty years old and I have been a resident of the D.O.V.E. Transition home for two months. I reside in the home because I didn’t have a place to stay and had there not been an opening for me in the home I could have found myself homeless.
My dream of completing my college degree vanished when I was faced with the challenge of not being able to pay my college tuition. I had to put my dream on hold due to financial hardships. I have endured many challenges in life to include emotional and psychological abuse which led to me being a “cutter” at age fifteen. I have dealt with depression and I used to cry a lot to try and release my emotions and how I was feeling. When that seemed to be insufficient in providing the relief I so desperately was seeking I turned to numbing and suppressing my feelings and emotions, which ultimately led to me cutting myself repeatedly.
To others it might appear from my outward appearance that I don’t have a worry in the world but I have learned how to dress myself up and wear a mask to cover how I am truly feeling deep down inside. In reality my smile is worn most of the time as a protective barrier so that I can get through my day without breaking down emotionally. There have been times in my life that I had become so depressed that I could no longer hold in the pain and I would cry for long periods of time around those that I felt safe with. At this point in my life I don’t know how to deal with my emotions in a healthy manner. I’m sure that at some point along my journey in life I would benefit from some type of counseling to help me understand how my inability to deal with my emotions will impact my future relationships. I welcome counseling because I don’t want my past issues to prevent me from moving forward in a healthy way.
Being at D.O.V.E. has allowed me to breathe again. Although there are rules in place I realize rules are designed to keep me and others in the home safe. I like the calm and safety that is felt in the home. Since coming to the home I have started working a part time job and I have saved up enough money to pay off my college debt and start back to school soon. Without the budgeting classes that I have received at D.O.V.E. this would not have been possible. I pay rent, purchase my own food and I have a savings account. This is so liberating for me to have the mentorship of someone that will guide me and provide me the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes while moving forward in life.
Mrs. Shirley has created an atmosphere in D.O.V.E. so that I can heal from my past and be independent as a young adult. She provides me with guidance but encourages me to make the decisions that I feel is best for me. If I make a mistake she is there to support me and provide me with the confidence that I need to continue on while learning from my mistakes. I would recommend D.O.V.E. transition home to any woman who is serious about getting their life on track. D.O.V.E. will afford you the opportunity to focus on yourself, your goals and the healing that is needed to achieve your goals in life. You will be restored and transformed in the home if you are willing to work hard and apply yourself.