Day One Client
Transcribed from an audio interview. Responses have been edited for clarity.
I was raped almost 2 years ago. October 22nd, 2017. And I was having issues with law enforcement, so I reached out to Day One. I was able to connect with [an attorney] Amanda and meet with her and [Associate Director of Social Services] Natalie. I’ve been going to Day One ever since.
My weekly sessions with Natalie have helped me to develop my self esteem and sense of self worth, and they help me have a more positive outlook in terms of how I see myself and how I see other people. I am able to positively see myself and treat myself well, and have people around me that see me as me. So Natalie’s been a great, great help for me.
I think Day One is important because as young people, we need more mentorship, and people who look out for us. Day One brings you together with people who have the tools and connections to help you get a more familiarized feeling of, you know, being young, trying to find your way in the world.
I think they have the right services here to alleviate one’s tension, one’s stresses, one’s inability to find care and service and support. So to other people, I would say aligning yourself with an advocacy group such as Day One would help you alleviate those stresses and find a better way to help you internally, if that’s what you’re looking for.
I think it’s important for students and young people to know that it’s never okay. There’s never any excuse for that situation to ever exist, and if you are a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, then Day One has the training and specialists here to help you get out of the situation and help you with whatever you need.
