Meet Melissa

At just three years old, Melissa’s life was forever changed when her mother died in a tragic car accident. Left in the care of her abusive father and stepmother, she endured a decade of mental, physical, and sexual abuse. When her trauma finally came to light, Melissa was placed in foster care. She moved from home to home until a social worker introduced her to Casa de Amparo—a turning point that began her path toward healing. 

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As a teenager at Casa, Melissa spent nine transformative months building strength and resilience. She attended therapy, participated in group activities, went on outings, and learned life skills that would shape her future. 

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“There was structure at Casa and no abuse. No yelling, no belittling, no hateful rage. Instead, the staff spoke with respect and showed they cared. It wasn’t just a job for them—we were their kids.” 

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One of the most important parts of Melissa’s journey was her connection with her therapist, Vicky. At first, Melissa resisted therapy, vowing never to attend a session. But Vicky’s persistence and compassion slowly built trust. Eventually, Melissa agreed to meet—and never turned back. 

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“If it wasn’t for Casa de Amparo and Vicky, I don’t think I would be alive today,” she reflects. 

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Today, Melissa is thriving. She is an award-winning leader in the insurance industry, a proud mother, and a successful business owner. In a full-circle moment, she now serves as Casa de Amparo’s insurance representative, providing benefits for our employees. 

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“I wanted to come back and say, ‘Thank you.’ Look at me today. You did this for me. You took an invisible kid and made her visible—you gave her hope and a future.”