Overcomer Stories
Overcomer #1 The course was very knowledgeable and very in depth. The material was extremely informative.
Overcomer #2 This course has opened a way to my healing.
Overcomer #3 On my first day there I was a mess and thought I would never come back. Thank God I did because the class opened me up to other areas of my life that I was also afraid to deal with. From Shelter I decided to take a class on depression and now I'm facing other giants in my life with a little more confidence. I recommend it to people I know and even those I don't know. Gwen is a hard worker and is totally dedicated to what she does and I know she does it from her heart. I see Shelter going places and making a difference in so many people lives especially those of color.
Overcomer #4 I came into Shelter from the Storm with little knowledge about being a survivor of sexual abuse. This course has helped me understand the impact being a survivor has had on me as well as how to work through the trauma to healing.
Overcomer #5 This course was very beneficial in my recovery and I would recommend it to anyone that is struggling with this subject matter.
Overcomer #6 This class saved my life. Today I am a brand new person. I can see life clearer and I do believe there is a happy ending.
Overcomer #7 I was very pleased with the overall flow of the class and with the knowledge of Ms. Jones. She is very thoughtful in her planning of the course and manages to bring out those issues that need to be discussed without making the client feel bad. I would (and have) recommended this course to others and plan to complete the course again soon.
Overcomer #8 Gwen Jones is an outstanding facilitator, she is very passionate and knowledgeable in the field she facilitates. Shelter from the Storm is a life changing course.
Overcomer #9 Unless they receive help, women who have been abused can get stuck--and stay stuck--for a lifetime…repeating destructive cycles. I have personally seen (and experienced) changed lives resulting from recovery groups Gwen has lead. Women in her care break free from destructive cycles and learn a new way of living and related--to themselves, and the world around them.
Gwen Jones is superb. She is a woman of vision, energy and focus. I know of no more knowledgeable, committed advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She is constantly improving her knowledge base so that she can be maximally effective. Gwen works effectively with women of all ages, races, and life stages. She is a woman of integrity and a leader with great resiliency, insight and sensitivity.
Overcomer #10 Applying that which was pertained in the curriculum was somewhat difficult because that meant facing reality that the abuse actually happened. But knowing that it had to be done in order to heal, I embraced it and recommend any one going through abusive relationship(s) go through it rather than run from it because it is the healing process that is so necessary. Know that through it, God is ever present with you all the way and it is His will that we have life more abundantly. The word of God states in John 8:32,36 "…you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." That IS abundant living!
Overcomer #11 After living nearly my entire life as a victim of childhood sexual abuse and countless further incidents of sexual assault well into my adult life, I had no idea of the magnitude of the effects of the abuse upon my life until I was introduced to the Shelter from the Storm program. My life became manageable for the first time in my life, during the first 12-week session with the extremely informative materials and knowledgeable facilitator, I was able to learn that I was not alone and I did not need to carry the burden of false guilt and shame any longer. I am currently in my second 12-week session and I am well on my way to overcoming this plague that someone else's action put on my life and becoming a healed mother to my children.
This is based entirely on the strength and encouragement I learned to claim as my own in the Shelter from the Storm program. I am often placed in situations where other victims are placed in my path. With the strength I, and others, gain during these support groups that arm us with the truth, I am able to feel confident to refer them to my facilitator…who is never scared to tell the truth to victims to empower and enable them to enter the healing process. I feel confident that everyone whom I have referred to her has been completely assisted and never forgotten. She is armed with the tools to assist those who are scared and reaching out. Reaching out is extremely hard for victims and Ms. Jones knows that all to well…that we know rejection. She makes it a priority to make sure the first time a woman makes that powerful choice to begin to understand it to the last and she makes it count. She, and her organization are an invaluable resource in the community.
Overcomer #12 This class armed me with the knowledge and tools I needed to defeat my 25 year vicious cycle of self-destructive thoughts and behavior patterns. Before Shelter I would always get to a certain point in my life and would have a mental break down inside, where no one knew but me and my kids. I knew something strong was holding me down but no one could help me get to the root of my problem. I literally could not see any good in myself. I lived each day of my life compulsively-driven by the need to help others so I would feel worthy, even if it left me so emotional, physically, and spiritually drained that usually left me severely oppressed.
Shelter helped to identify the burdens of unforgiveness, shame, guilt, and low-self worth that I had been carrying on my shoulders for over 30 years. Shelter helped me to understand why I thought and reacted a certain way when triggers of past sexual assaults would plague my mind and emotions. I learned biblical applications to help me break free from past abuse, neglect, and disappointments.
I learned positive self-talk and daily affirmations to help me to remain free throughout my journey of healing from the strongholds of sexual abuse. Since Shelter I have been able to forgive those in my past who abused and neglected me. I am able to allow Jesus, to fill me with everything I need. I have finally accepted in my heart that Jesus loves me and I free myself to accept His love and kindness toward me. I am now able to have a healthy relationship with Jesus, myself and with others. I am able to say no, without feeling guilty. I am able to make good logical decisions without persistent doubt. I am no longer shame of who I am or what I have been through.
Because of Shelter I am able to identify and reach out to others that have been sexually abused. Since Shelter, I have accepted my calling as an Evangelist preacher. I am free at last to tell the world that there is hope for women that have been held hostage by past trauma of sexual abuse. I pray that every woman that has been sexually abused have the opportunity to receive the tools and knowledge that I received at Shelter to break free, before it is too late.
Overcomer #13 Before I came to the class for sexual abuse I was in bondage, in hiding from myself, wondering why I continue to feel this way since I am the victim. Now that I have gone through three sessions of Shelter from the Storm, I am able to walk with my head held high. I can say in Christ I am never alone, I am worthy to have God lead me and comfort me. I have permission to feel my anger and hurt, I can speak the truth and I can be free!
These are some of my unit affirmations that helped me going through the class. I thank God in the name of Jesus, I know in my heart if I did not have such a wonderful facilitator, I could not have made it through all three sessions.
Overcomer #14 I wish we had more time for the class sessions.
Overcomer #15 I appreciate the many blessings that came with and throughout taking this course which include the common understanding of the hurt and pain of what we each have been and/or are going through, the seeds planted for healing, the growth of healing, action plans to persevere, the friendships formed and I can go on and on.....I support the desire and efforts of Gwen Jones of ARISE! to have a place for "just" victims and survivors of sexual abuse. I am a survivor of date rape, and am so blessed to have met Gwen in April 2009. I strongly encourage the Shelter from the Storm curriculum.
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