54 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2018 SELF GROWTH,TRUTH AND HEALING The statistics are startling: One in three Texas women have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. Fortunately, The Family Place has been saving lives in the North Texas community for 40 years. This organization empowers victims of physical and emotional domestic abuse by pro- viding safe housing, counseling and support in learning skills that allow former victims to begin new, independent lives. They also advocate for social change to stop the cycle of domestic violence. Three women share their stories of domestic abuse and finding hope at The Family Place: THEFAMILYPLACECOMMEMORATES40YEARSINNORTHTEXAS “The Family Place … has made a tremendous impact in my life by letting me know that no matter what circumstance I go through, I have the power inside to overcome every obstacle.” - Josie Horn JosieHorn Josie Horn grew up in Dallas watching her father abuse her mother. She graduatedfromMountainViewCommunityCollegewithadegreeinBusi- ness Administration and later married and had three children. Shortly after getting married, her husband went into the ministry and began to abuse Josie psychologically and spiritually. Josie lost her mom to an aneurysm and her sister to ovarian cancer in the span of a few years. During this time, her husband started doing drugs, and their church started the process to vote him out as pastor. “I didn't know which way to turn, and I honestly thought I was losing my mind,” Josie says. “It was blow after blow after blow. I didn't have anyone to talk to, I didn't know where to go, and I definitely couldn't explain what I was feeling. Eventually I was diagnosed with manic depression.” When an advocate from The Family Place spoke at her office in 2001, Josie realized she was in a crisis and began to relive the pain and turmoil from her childhood and abusive marriage. Her divorce was final by this point, but through counseling at The Family Place, she realized her life still had a purpose. “All of the things I have experienced have helped build my confidence and make me a stronger individual,” she says. “The Family Place is somewhere you can go for help, shelter, leadership and sponsorship. It has made a tre- mendous impact in my life by letting me know that no matter what circum- stance I go through, I have the power inside to overcome every obstacle.” Josie was The Family Place’s Survivor of the Year in 2008 and shared her story on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. She is a member of The Family Place’s Ladies of Leadership group and Toastmaster’s International and is writing a book about her experiences so that other women will know that they are not alone. By Audra Glidewell