Angelica's Story

Angelica was still struggling with addiction when she entered a domestic relationship that became violent. While pregnant with her first child, the abuse escalated, and she was beaten repeatedly—sometimes in her stomach.

Her child did not survive.

After leaving that relationship, Angelica entered another abusive one. The violence continued, and she later woke up in the hospital to learn she had been drugged by her partner.

“I thought I could change him.”

Over time, the pattern became clear.

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Seeking Safety

Violence followed relationship after relationship, and Angelica did not feel safe anywhere. Without family support and carrying years of unresolved trauma, Angelica reached a breaking point.

Nothing she was doing was working.

The survival habits she had learned growing up were no longer enough to keep her safe. A friend eventually brought her to a faith-based program. When Angelica walked through the doors, she experienced something unfamiliar.

“It felt like peace.”

Because she was pregnant, Angelica was referred to CityTeam Heritage Home. At CityTeam, the chaos stopped. Worship music played in the background. Babies were safe in the living room. Women supported one another.

For the first time, Angelica felt protected—not by walls, but by people.

“I had never seen peace like that before,” she says. While pregnant with her son, Carter, Angelica was incarcerated and feared losing another child—this time to the system. Determined not to give up, she continued reaching out to CityTeam, asking if there was space for her to return. At her court hearing, Angelica requested placement in a Christian faith-based program. The judge agreed, and Angelica was released shortly afterward.

She spent her first Christmas with Carter at CityTeam. During her time in the program, Angelica began addressing the root causes of violence in her life. Through Bible study, parenting classes, and life-skills training, she learned how to set priorities, make stable decisions, and plan for the future.

“Now it’s not just me,” she says. “I have Carter.”

Angelica completed the program and is now serving as an intern, supporting other women who are walking the same difficult path she once walked.Graduation did not feel like an ending to her. “When I graduated,” she says, “I felt like I was just starting something.” Angelica’s hope for the future is clear.

“I want to break a generational cycle.” And today, with safety, stability, and faith, she is doing exactly that.