Choosing to take positive actions

Jenny is a forty-two year-old single mother of three. After a tough upbringing, living in violent and abusive domestic situations became a way of life for Jenny. Her most recent partner put her in hospital more than 20 times.

Bruised, beaten and abused—then separated from her children—Jenny spiraled downwards through drink and drugs. Until she decided enough was enough.

'I realised I had a choice of two roads to follow,' she says. 'One of them was going to put me in the ground and I wasn’t ready for that.'

When she hit rock bottom, Jenny made a decision to change and regain control of her life. She chose to take positive action and find help.

Through The Salvation Army, she received counselling for depression and addiction treatment.

And once Jenny and her children were reunited, we provided furniture, bedding and food parcels to help set up their new home.

Jenny’s local Salvation Army encouraged her to set up a gardening business and provided tools to get her started.

Along with having a career and a regular income, ongoing emotional reassurance from the Sallies helped Jenny feel positive and plan for a new and better future.

Today, Jenny and her kids are happy and healthy and the family no longer needs our support.

'It’s taken three years,' she says. 'With the Sallies help I set myself goals to heal, to get my children back and to teach them to make far better choices than I had made.

'I feel I’ve started that and I intend to continue.'

With The Salvation Army helping Jenny and her family take positive actions one step at a time, they were able to get their lives back on track and working toward a happier future.

Jenny is now a Red Shield Appeal collector. 'The Salvation Army did so much for me, she says.

'I want to help other Kiwis in need.'

To stand side by side with people like Jenny and her family, please donate to our Red Shield Appeal 2014