Ondria Thornton, Adult Therapist, Newhouse

Domestic violence does not have to be the main part of our life’s story. Being an overcoming survivor and displaying graceful resilience will be our legacy.

Kimberly Wilson, Surgical Nurse at The University of Kansas Health System

💜 The abuse you are experiencing is maddening as hell! Trying to make sense of it all is confusing as hell! Self love and healing after being beat down is hard as hell!   The thought of safely planning your escape, how you are financially going to make ends meet, and care for your kids is scary as hell! Telling anyone and asking for help can be embarrassing as hell!

Face the storm head on NOW! Peace is on the other side, make the jump! You don’t have to do it on your own! Ask for help! Support is out there! I’ve never heard a survivor say, “I wish I would have stayed longer!” God’s got you, and you’re HELLA WORTH IT!!! 

💜This quote put fire in my soul and is now my mantra. “I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”  ~Malala

Gabriella Pagán, KSHB-TV 41 Action News

“Just because we’ve been dealt a certain hand doesn’t mean we can’t choose to rise above – to conquer the boundaries of destiny that none of us wanted.” – Stephenie Meyer

Caroline Hammond, CEO and Founder of Safe In Harm’s Way Foundation, Inc.

Hello, my dear fellow survivor. How are you? Let’s set the visual for what I am about to say. It’s sunny out and we are sitting on a beautiful patio in downtown Kansas City by the T-Mobile Center. Maybe we are having appetizers and fun drinks.

Now- here is the secret. We. Are. Worth. It. You? YOU ARE MOST DEFINITELY WORTH IT.

What do I mean by worthy? I mean your life has value. Your feelings have value. You deserve to be treated with kindness, love, respect, trust and with zero risk of pain, so you can live the rest of your days finding happiness, joy, prosperity and the sort of love which has you skipping down the sidewalk in your high heels and cute dress. Read more >>

Jessica McClellan, Founder and President of Giving Help & Hope

I’d like to ask you to ask yourself the following questions: 

Is this how I want and deserve to be treated? 

Does this relationship serve me and support my dreams and goals?

Don’t I deserve to be loved and appreciated? 

Once you have transparently and truthfully answered these self discovery questions carefully examine your answers and write them down as affirmations, for example:
I deserve a relationship that supports my dreams and goals. 

I desire to share my life with a person that loves me unconditionally for exactly who I am.

I desire to share my life with a person that I respect, admire, appreciate and  love. 

Now that the vision for yourself and relationship goals are written, begin to make the vision a reality.  Seek help to start an escape plan. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1-800-799-SAFE or Newhouse 816.471.5800 for confidential help. Read more >>

Team Newhouse would like to thank several folks involved with the creation of this cover. To the brave survivors who shared their faces and their stories with the world . . . thank you. Your bravery is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for being the fierce advocates and trailblazer that you are.

THANK YOU to the generous and talented Tom Styrkowicz for the cover photography. See more of his work at 53tom.com.

And thank you to Jenny Owens Hughes, publisher of The Independent who coordinated this opportunity with us.