When a young girl’s childhood is wrought with sexual and emotional abuse, seeing her way through life can be murky at best. In Sasha’s case, love for her unborn baby ultimately drove her to seek the help she needed. Thanks to caring women like you, Sasha found healing at Samaritan.

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At the age of six, Sasha had been raped by a family member. When she told her parents, they “looked the other way,” making no effort to protect her. The sexual abuse continued through her early teens. Feeling hopelessly trapped and unloved, Sasha turned to alcohol to numb her pain.

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In the middle of 12th grade, Sasha quit school and decided to escape to a new, “exciting” life in Las Vagas. However, she soon found herself living in the streets, hooked on heroin, and sold into sex trafficking. Again, Sasha was immersed in a tragic lifestyle in which she had no control over her own body or the powerful drug that held her captive.

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In her early twenties, Sasha became pregnant, sparking a crucial turning point for her. Desiring a fresh start for herself and her baby, Sasha made up her mind to abandon her lifestyle in Las Vegas—a decision that cost her a beating by a sex panderer. Injured and scared, she fled the city in the middle of the night, returning to her hometown in rural Pennsylvania. 

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After completing a drug treatment program, Sasha gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She attended Narcotics Anonymous while earning her GED. Soon after, Sasha got a job at a drug rehabilitation center and secured financial aid to enroll in a community college. Although she was on the right track, Sasha was still fragile. Traumatized by her past, she needed help to heal. On the recommendation of a co-worker, Sasha called Samaritan.

At Samaritan, Sasha’s therapist helped her to realize her value as a person. Through therapy, Sasha transitioned from a fearful, broken girl to a courageous, strong woman. “Faith-based therapy was instrumental in helping me develop a sense of self-worth—something that I never had,” said Sasha. “What I achieved through counseling at Samaritan dramatically changed my life.”

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Every day, women with tragic pasts turn to Samaritan for compassionate, faith-based care. But many are uninsured and struggling financially. By supporting our Women Helping Women in Need campaign, you can give a broken woman a chance to heal by making her therapy affordable. Please mail your check to Samaritan Counseling at 202 Beaver St., 3rd Fl., Sewickley, PA 15143 or donate online today. Thank you for caring!