FROM C.M.O IN UINTAH COUNTY

Dear Utah,

I began my domestic violence journey a decade ago in another state, not as a survivor, but as a helper. I wanted to help others. Little did I know that starting as a no-one off the street in a rural Texas town would lead me to one of the true vocations of my life. I use the word, vocation, with intention, as it means God's will. I have only ever felt the same level of love, commitment, and pride along with frustration and exhaustion in my three vocations. Wife, mother, advocate. I have cried with joy and sorrow with my clients, I have comforted them through hardship and celebrated their triumphs. I have had a few clients over the years say "You saved my life" and I shake my head knowing that I did nothing of the sort. I only gave them safer paths to follow but they had to save themselves. The joy and fear of an advocate aren’t to have our clients "disappear.” The joy is that they no longer need us to find their safe path, the fear is that their abuser has caught them back in their web or worse. This happens every single day and the weight is heavy on our hearts. Burnout is real, compassion fatigue is real. The average career as an advocate is only 3 years! Even with all of that, my heart is full of gratitude every time I can get a client to seek shelter, find a new apartment, file a protective order, or do anything else that makes their lives easier and safer. I won't ever stop fighting for what I know is right for my clients, my community, or for Utah.