Shana never imagined her life would come to this – the physical abuse, the emotional scars, the fear of what would happen to her and her children.

It hadn’t always been this way. Shana married the man she thought was her forever, raised three beautiful children, and filled their rural New Hampshire home with cherished memories.

But when her husband’s anger turned into abuse, her perfect world crumbled. Shana eventually stood up to her husband, asking him to leave.

While it gave her safety, the ensuing months brought more uncertainty. Shana was a stay-at-home mom with no income or experience managing household finances. Most months, she had to decide which necessities to pay for and which to let slide. But it became too much.

Her breaking point came when she saw the yellow disconnect notice in the mail. Her heart sank, knowing this wasn’t just about losing the lights in their home. It was about her children losing basic life necessities – and the looming threat of becoming homeless.

But one call to Catholic Charities NH began to change everything.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, Catholic Charities NH provided Shana with immediate assistance to pay her electric bill, ensuring she and her children stayed warm and safe. But it didn’t stop there – Catholic Charities NH continues to support her through these challenging times, helping her learn to budget, manage finances and rebuild her life one step at a time.

While challenges remain, Shana no longer feels alone. For the first time in a long time, she has hope – and for that, she’s grateful.

“Without Catholic Charities NH, I would have no idea where I would be,” said Shana. “They helped me believe that you should never give up, no matter the challenge, and that help is there when you need it.”