For ten long years, Frida lived in fear. Her husband was emotionally and physically abusive, controlling every aspect of her life. Far from her family and support system, Frida had come to the United States with dreams of safety and stability. Instead, her husband used her immigration status as a weapon.
He constantly reminded her that he was her sponsor for her adjustment of status, threatening that without him, she would lose everything. He promised to file the paperwork that would allow her to become a permanent resident, but it was all lies. Behind closed doors, he isolated her, forced her to work overtime to cover every household expense, and contributed nothing himself. The manipulation, fear, and financial strain left Frida feeling trapped, with no end in sight.
One day, the abuse reached a breaking point. Her husband threw her out of the house and told her he planned to sell it. Frida suddenly found herself with nowhere to turn.
Then, one person changed everything. Frida’s HR manager at work noticed her distress and recommended she reach out to Mosaic Family Services. With nothing left to lose, Frida decided to seek help.
She arrived at the Mosaic office late in the day, just three minutes before closing. A case manager, about to leave for the evening, saw the fear and exhaustion in Frida’s eyes and stayed. She invited Frida into a private room, listened patiently as she shared her story, and gently explained the support Mosaic could offer. For the first time in years, Frida felt seen and believed, telling her case manager, “This is the first time I feel like someone cares about me.”
That same week, Frida started counseling at Mosaic, giving her a safe space to begin healing from years of trauma. Her case manager worked tirelessly alongside her, helping her find a safe apartment, guiding her through financial assistance options, and celebrating every small victory along the way.
With Mosaic’s support, Frida began to rebuild her life piece by piece. She enrolled in English classes at a local community college and began saving for her first car, giving her independence for the first time in years. Through Mosaic’s legal program, she was connected with a pro bono attorney who helped her complete her immigration application and finalize her divorce.
Today, Frida is thriving. She has her work authorization, lives safely in her own home, and continues to grow stronger each day. Grateful for the support that changed her life, she now dedicates her time to learning more about domestic violence and sharing that knowledge with other women in her community, helping them recognize abuse and find safety, just as she did.
