Sunday - at the office again...

Ahhhh. A day of rest!

NOT!

This morning I got a call from another agency. They're great at helping abused kids but not so great at abused adults but since she has kids and would we help find another place?

Three hours spent calling, searching, begging for a shelter spot for a mom plus four. No luck. She's going to stay where she is for now (which is good because there's really nothing else).

Wait!

A phone call back. The shelter two counties over is making space. They can take the family! Yessss!! My heart soars!!

Conversation with the counselor at the shelter where the victim is:

"Two counties over?"
"Yes!" (I say excitedly. Isn't that great? After all, that's supposed to be great isn't it???)
"Ummmmm. (Pause) How is she going to get her kids to school? File for a protective order? Find a job? If she's two counties away? Can't you keep looking and find something else???????"

Then reality hits.

Me: "How about getting the order then placing the kids in the school near the shelter? After all, HE doesn't know where it is and will be less likely to find her."
Counselor with Victim in the background: "Yes but you're cutting the oldest children off from the only stability they've known. She isn't willing to do that."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space avaialble now. I've searched for 3 hours."
Counselor: "She can't go that far. She has a life. Find another shelter."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space available now."
Counselor: "Really. Her car won't make it. Do you know a mechanic? She can't do this."
Me: "This is the only shelter with space available."
Counselor: "We'll keep her here and make it work as long as we can."

My heart sinks. My gut wrenches.
I fear I know what choice the mom is going to make.

Can anyone blame her? Can anyone not blame her?

More important: Will anyone hear her when she screams?