Participant Testimonials

Women

"Thanks to Caminar Latino my life has been different, because I don't think about the past with sadness, but with more clarity. I have two daughters who are nine and ten years old and they like [the program] too. They have changed a lot- they are not as timid and immature, they are more positive and have learned to survive the storm - the domestic violence we lived through together. I have changed for the better and with all the support and affirmation from Caminar Latino I am now a survivor of domestic violence."

"Caminar Latino has definitely impacted my life in very positive ways - it's like a light at the end of a tunnel, where after a lot of darkness one starts to see a lot of clarity...many answers. One feels understood, supported, made aware. When I have felt most depressed and overwhelmed, the phone calls from [the advocate] have been very comforting and full of understanding. The program has helped me a lot, from the moment one listens to other women sharing about their difficult situations they are living and then being able to talk about our grief, anxiety, fears, insecurities... one begins to feel better. Thanks for all the support, for having a place like Caminar Latino..."

"This program has impacted my life in a special way - it has helped me to live my life in a different way and to re-structure my life and the life of my family. I am a domestic violence survivor and I believe that this program needs the necessary support to continue helping all women."

"For me it was very difficult to let in Caminar Latino because I was ashamed of my problems...because I am very young... but thanks to the group I feel very good now and relaxed because now I can and do have people with whom to share my situation and I am not the only one with problems and I know that I can make it..."

Men

"The positive thing about this program for me has been to learn to stop myself before I do anything to my partner... I think that it's very good what I hear from or share with my compañeros [the other men]..."

"The program is helping me because the things that I hear in this program from other men I take as my own experience because I put myself in the place of each compañero to solve the problems as if they were my own...so I don't make the same mistake or cause the same problem and be better with myself and with my family."

"The program in my case has helped me to control myself ... I think about things a lot more... I stop myself more... I have learned to listen to her a little more but I have the hope that I will improve myself each day even though it may be a challenge every day... I am going to keep moving forward..."

"First of all, thanks to God! Secondly, I want to thank the program for teaching me to take advantage of group time! I am learning something more each day and I want to learn a lot more. Many things are changing and many more will change. I have faith..."

Youth

"Caminar Latino has made a difference in my life in a way that helped me think. Before I wanted to run away from my problems but now I know that there are other people with similar issues and that knowing that there are people here for me actually just helps me think about what my reactions are."

"My family has gotten better and changed a lot. There's also not a lot of fighting like before."

"... Just coming here and knowing there are people "grown-ups" that will sit down and have a "grown up" conversation... about anything without judging you..."

"I am not afraid to express my feelings as much..."

"I'm here because my dad been cheating on my mom. I learned to be brave and if your mad you just have to talk to someone."

"Well... I like coming here because is fun and their a lot of children and they solve problems about you family and you feel better."

"Feels good when you tell your problems... help you solve your problems... know other people have the same problems..."

"They believe and understand your problems... like to hang out with us."

"We get to meet lots of people."

"We get to talk about our problems."

"It's more fun than staying at home."

"You get to forget about your problems each day."

"It helps to tolerate your problems."

"You can get stuff off your chest..."