Chattanooga: Neediest Cases fund helps two women find hope and a fresh start

After her abuser knocked out 16 of her teeth, one woman bought dentures with money from the Chattanooga Times Free Press Neediest Cases Fund.

Another woman, whose abuser had taken control of their checking accounts and credit cards and run up large debts, used money from the fund as the last push she needed to move into her own apartment.

Both women asked not to be identified for fear that their abusers might locate them.

Emily Ascolillo, a victim advocate with the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, helped the two women secure money from Neediest Cases fund.

The Times Free Press campaign to raise money for the fund continues through December.

“I hurt every day.”

* Her story: This 41-year-old single woman was in an abusive relationship for about two years. One of the last beatings left her with a broken jaw and 16 shattered teeth. After the Partnership followed up with a domestic violence police report about four months ago, she was taken out of the abusive environment and placed in a shelter. She would like to resume work as a medical technician.

* Caseworker’s appeal: “There are a lot of insecurities after coming through a domestic violence situation, especially when you have outward physical damage. The Partnership, through the Neediest Cases fund, was able to give her back that smile. Giving her back her smile ... is an amazing gift. She’s able now go back to work and rebuild her life.”

* Amount of support: $375.

* In her own words: “I was very disgusted in myself. I hurt every day. Now I’m a totally different person. It meant for me a new beginning in life. It helped build my self-esteem. I couldn’t have done it without the people who donated. I can’t thank the supporters enough for how they’ve touched my life.”

“My spirit was broken”

* Her story: This 36-year-old single woman was in an abusive relationship for nine years until Aug. 18, when left home in Atlanta and drove to Chattanooga. She called 911 as she sat on the steps in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse and was connected to the Partnership, which took her in. She recently received her nursing assistant certification and would like to one day finish nursing school.

* Caseworker’s appeal: “After she was gone, her abuser still had access to her bank accounts, credit cards. When you are scared like that, you don’t think of canceling things like the cable. She has had to take the income she’s earning right now to pay for the debt he has gotten her into.”

* Amount of support: $500 for a deposit and partial rent payment.

* In her own words: “For people to give just a little extra of what they have, it’s the best present in the world. When I got here, my heart was broken, my spirit was broken, my soul was broken. Thanks to the Partnership ... I totally found myself and learned how to love myself again. The apartment is my new beginning.”