The shame and degradation I was filled with hit me in my core, and I felt completely worthless. Growing up, I was an empowered young woman with dreams and ambitions of becoming someone in life. Those dreams and aspirations were shattered when I had a child at a young age. I found a new husband and got another child, but when I thought life was good, he started emotionally abusing me through unfaithfulness and misuse of power. I felt I had placed shame on my family and myself yet again, and my self-worth completely vanished to the point where I tried to commit suicide several times. See how I found a way to open up and lighten my burden through free counseling with the “GoGo’s” at Friendship Bench, an organization for mental health. I started their peer support group and found a community where we supported each other through our struggles. Learn how we also helped each other to create small businesses that allowed us to become more independent. This helped me to ensure that I was not dependent on any husband or man, so I could provide for my children and myself.