Q and A with LeNae Williamson
A conversation with Meagan Struck, TDP Development Director and LeNae Williamson, TDP Executive Director.
LeNae Williamson, TDP Executive Director (left) and Meagan Struck, TDP Development Director (right)
Meagan: As you reflect on your first two years as the Executive Director, what are you most encouraged to see happening at The Dwelling Place? What has been the most rewarding?
Lenae: One of the major shifts in the ministry that is very exciting is that we have moved from a time-based program to a goal-based program. This determination came from listening to several of our alumni. They shared with us that during the first 6 months or so, the women felt safe, and started to relax and experience respite. Just past the half-way point of that first year, they found themselves more focused on where they would be going next; their anxiety returned and they stopped being able to focus as much
on their healing.
The gift of time is so powerful! By shifting to a goal based approach we are communicating to the women that we are committed to their healing process, and we are with them on their journey. As long as they are indeed working on their goals and making progress, we give them the gift of time. What does this mean for TDP? You may see the total number of people served in our residential program decrease but you will see families graduating TDP ready and able to be independent and take care of themselves and their children. Healing from trauma and abuse takes longer than desired, but the breaking of the abuse cycle is absolutely worth every dollar invested.
M: In your role, you have the opportunity to see and interact with the women and children regularly. What type of challenges do you see them facing before coming to TDP, and during their healing journey?
L: For many it centers around the lack of community. Everyone’s story is unique but many have been isolated from family and friends. They may not have been able to be completely honest with people in their lives out of fear and shame. They also tend to have issues around trust, which makes it difficult for them to be open to a relationship with Jesus, as well as staff members and other residents. All of the women have experienced multiple forms of trauma which affects their ability to navigate the barriers that will need to overcome. The Dwelling Place needs to be the place where abuse ends and healing begins. The kind of healing that includes their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
M: Can you share more about the barriers women & children have for success?
L: Many of our residents have never been given the opportunity to learn what you and I might consider ‘basic life skills’ such as driving, managing a budget, writing a resume, job interview skills, how to utilize community resources, problem solving, time management, organization, parenting skills and even healthy recreation. There are limited job training opportunities or experiences. They
may have had these skills at one time but the effects of complex trauma and fear on their brain has paralyzed them to various degrees making it very difficult for them to navigate the basic problems faced each day. On top of this, many moms and their children are navigating underlying mental or physical health problems that are likely caused, at least in part, by their abuse.
In their efforts towards living safely and independently, our residents deal with a number of challenges in addition to escaping from domestic abuse, including transportation and mental health issues, limited life skills and experiences, children’s mental health and special needs, affordable housing, and livable wage issues.
M: How is TDP equipped to support women in these challenges?
L: Shortly after becoming a resident at The Dwelling Place, all women walk through a skills assessment and goal planning process to help determine what skills might be needed by each woman. Between classes and one-on-one case management, along with special group activities, we determine a course of action and give opportunities for them to grow in each area. These goals are reevaluated on a regular basis to update and determine if further action is necessary.
M: Is there a particular experience or story you would like to share of how you have seen women overcome these challenges during their time at TDP?
L: There really are so many but one of the most surprising ones to me was quite simple. I mentioned earlier about learning healthy recreation. This includes learning to how to enjoy and play with their children. Watching a young mom who really didn’t have the energy nor the know-how to interact with her children or be child-like with them. She made sure they were fed and cared for but that’s all she knew to do. During her time at TDP, I saw progressively that she was learning how her children responded differently when she started to listen to them, got down on the floor to play with them, blew bubbles and other simple things. How these simple changes have positively effected both her and her children has been beautiful to watch.
M: What are you most looking forward to in the next year at TDP?
L: By far, it would have to be seeing just how Jesus will show up in the day-to-day challenges within the ministry. He is infinitely creative, and when we pay attention, we can find Him in everything, from the very minute details as well as the landslide victories. As a staff, we spend a lot of time praying and asking the Lord to show us how to meet and overcome the obstacles each family faces. We are not a cookie cutter operation nor could we ever be. Each family is so unique and deserves the effort made, in partnership with the Father, to find the path forward that will unlock the power of hope in their hearts. We often do not have the answers but knowing the ONE who does is what makes it possible. It is not easy to be patient but it is always exciting to see Him work.
