by Angela May

Trina Pearson is a proud mother of four girls, who just graduated from a local college this December and is preparing to pursue her master’s degree. She has a job, a car, and a place to call home. But just seven years ago, she had nothing—no clothes, no job, no home, no money. All she had was her four daughters, the clothes on their backs and just enough courage to getaway from their abuser. Pearson endured the violence for nine years. 

“I left everything I own. I said to myself I’m doing this on faith. My mother was a minister when I was growing up. So I took my faith and my children and left.”

That escape in April 2004 lead her to My Sister’s House, the only place in the Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester county region that provides 24-hour emergency temporary shelter and a crisis line to victims of domestic violence. 

Elmire Raven, executive director of My Sister’s House, says Pearson’s abusive situation is all too common, citing statistics ranking South Carolina in the top ten annually for number of women killed by men and women abused by men. 

When Pearson arrived at My Sister’s House, she said, “I was at my lowest point. I was homeless, jobless and had to take care of my four girls.” 

When a woman turns to the non-profit for refuge from their abusive situation, they call the crisis line (843-744-3242). She’s told to go to either a police station or emergency room, the only locations, Raven says, a victim and her children can be picked up by a volunteer or staff member of My Sister’s House. They are then taken to the shelter, which is at an undisclosed location. The victim is assigned a case manager and all of her and her children’s immediate needs are addressed. Raven says, “The case manager will help her develop her goals and objectives. They are what she wants to work towards to help her empower herself. Her goals, not ours.” 

Victims can stay a maximum of 60 days at the shelter, which is set up to house 36 women and children at any time. Raven says My Sister’s House serves 435 people a year. Two-thirds of those victims are children. Many of the women who need shelter have limited options and no family resources. But domestic violence isn’t a problem limited to a particular race or socio-economic level. My Sister’s House has served people from all walks of life. “We see teachers, doctors--- people from all professions.” 

Pearson had been an assistant teacher before she reached her limits with her abuser. Thanks to My Sister’s House, she was connected with an agency that helped her find a job, one that she still has today. She was given a vehicle to help her get to work and take her children to school. The agency also helped her find an affordable place to live. Pearson credits My Sister’s House for blessing her life and her children’s. “I started from nowhere.” 

Raven says the organization, now celebrating its 31^st year serving the Tri-County, relies on volunteers and donations to carry out its mission to empower domestic violence victims and their children to live free from abuse. There are a variety of ways to help those staying at My Sister’s House, from prepared meals to adopting a woman and/or her children for the holiday season.   Financial support is always much appreciated, but also much needed are donations from the non-profit’s Wish List, which is posted online at www.mysistershouse.org. Pillows, cleaning products and shower shoes are some of the most pressing needs right now. The list also includes many grocery needs, clothing for children and women’s items. To make it convenient to help, My Sister’s House has several drop-off sites throughout the Lowcountry, or you can arrange a pick-up at your home or workplace to ensure your much-needed donations go directly to the shelter and its clients.

Pearson’s girls were ages 12, 10 and the twins were 5 when they were welcomed into My Sister’s House. When asked what she would want other women to know who are in an abusive situation, Pearson replied, “Take with you a lot of strength. You need that if you have children… You definitely need faith; faith that God will take you through it and strength that you will overcome it. He pulled me through this and I don’t want to look back.”

Learn more about My Sister’s House at www.mysistershouse.org or call (843) 747-4069.

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