A Circle of Relief, Acceptance, and Empowerment w/ The Relatives

CeCe first came to The Relatives when she was 12 years old. It was 3:00 a.m. and after being awakened by a slap in the face, CeCe’s mother dragged her to the car and then drove her to The Relatives Youth Crisis Center. CeCe was left at the backdoor with no shoes on her feet and pajamas on her back.

CeCe was scared. She didn’t know if what lay behind that door would be like the chaos, abuse, and neglect she had endured in her home. But The Relatives staff welcomed her with open arms, made her feel safe, and took her to school, the next day–on time. The Relatives gave CeCe a safe place to go when her home life became intolerable and dangerous. The Relatives gave her a haven of normalcy but most importantly created a loving, respectful, and supportive environment. It was her first time experiencing what being part of a healthy, caring family could feel like.

After CeCe graduated from college, she came back to The Relatives. Only this time, she wasn’t here because she needed help. CeCe came back to The Relatives to work and to help because she wanted to give vulnerable young people the same care, the same guidance, and the same support she once received. Today, CeCe uses her lived experience to best serve the most vulnerable members of our community as The Relatives Runaway Prevention Specialist.