Amy Green was a young woman when she got into a cycle of abuse that began with a relationship with the wrong man and led her to a heroin addiction.
“I felt like loving this person is my job because who else would love this person, right?” Green asked rhetorically. “I’ve given up so much of what I am to support someone who would never support me.”
Green described herself as a three-sport “Division I” athlete and an all-A student at the time, but no one would have ever known what was happening in her life.
“I had no physical signs of abuse, but his emotional and mental abuse resulted in me physically abusing myself,” said Green. “I only got help in 2016. My family had an intervention with me and had to pull me out of the situation I was in because I still couldn’t walk. I wanted so badly to go, but I didn’t know how to ask for help. ”
Drug counselor Amy Green (left) speaks ahead of the Purple Palooza 5K Color Walk at the Child & Family Center in Santa Clarita on Saturday, 101521, Dan Watson / The Signal. about their substance abuse as a result of domestic violence
Green shared her story as part of the Purple Palooza 5k Walk to End Domestic Violence on Saturday. The event is a 5km color walk that will raise funds and raise awareness of the centre’s domestic violence program.
Cheryl Jones, vice president of community outreach and marketing, said about 250 participants took the walk.
Last year, the center hosted a virtual walk due to COVID-19 and raised $ 14,000. She noted that thanks to donations and sponsorships in the community, the center raised approximately $ 45,000.
The Valencia High School percussion section was during the Purple Palooza 5K Color Walk from the Child & Family Center in Santa Clarita on Saturday, 101521. Dan Watson / The Signal
The Child & Family Center merged with the SCV Domestic Violence Center three years ago, according to Dr. Joan Aschoff, the centre’s CEO and psychologist. The Child & Family Center cares for around 900 children and families in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and the San Fernando Valley.
“We offer mental health services, domestic violence services and substance abuse services,” said Aschoff. “Most of our services are provided to low income families who are uninsured and underinsured. We rely on our volunteers, fundraising and government support to fill these gaps and provide these services. ”
Participants are pelted with purple cornstarch as they speak on Saturday, 101521, Dan Watson / The Signal. begin the Purple Palooza 5K Color Walk from the Child & Family Center in Santa Clarita
Domestic violence beings in cycles. It starts with families observing this form of interaction, and they repeat that cycle, Aschoff said. The Children’s and Family Center offers prevention and education services on healthy relationships.
In addition to its services, the center also connects its customers with resources for accommodation, food and financial aid in the SCV.
Families and individuals who cannot meet their basic needs tend to deal with higher levels of depression and anxiety. These conditions can lead to more incidents of abuse or domestic violence, Aschoff said.
“We depend on our community partners to meet these needs,” said Aschoff. “We work closely with Bridge to Home, Santa Clarita Grocery and pantries. Then we will be able to provide the behavioral medical services they need. ”
Green also pointed to the importance of community as a means to break the cycle of abuse.
The focus isn’t on the details when sharing her story, she said. But what she did to overcome it and those who helped her escape the cycle of abuse.
“I know there are people here who still don’t know how to ask for help because it’s shameful what we’re going through,” said Green. “We are all resources for one another. The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but connectedness. As long as we stay connected and work, we allow ourselves to ask for help when we need it. ”
Participants warm up with stretching exercises before the Purple Palooza 5K Color Walk from the Child & Family Center in Santa Clarita on Saturday, 101521, Dan Watson / The Signal
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