Below is a sampling of some of The ROSE Fund's active applicants seeking assistance to rebuild their lives and regain their self esteem.
We currently and regularly have active applicants for facial reconstructive surgery who based on the strength and generosity of our network of R.O.S.E. doctors and hospitals, have got all but one piece of their $9,000 to $16,000 procedure covered financially. We don't want them lose the chance to erase their disfigurement from domestic violence injuries because they lack a relatively nominal component of the funding necessary for them to face the world again with confidence and self-esteem. We currently have women who are within one, two or three semesters from finishing their college degrees -- and being financially independent for the first time ever! We can’t bear the thought of them stalling out when they are this close to the finish line.
--A woman from the south shore of Boston has several injuries to her teeth, head and neck including a fractured jaw. Her health issues continue to worsen based on the fact that these complications prevent her from consistently eating solid foods. We have surgeons willing to offer their time, but we need additional funds to cover the additional costs associated with the appropriate surgical procedures.
--A Mid 50s Texas woman SM was shot in the face by her boyfriend in 1974, has become an inspirational writer, speaker, counselor, has popular show on cable access but lives on the edge of poverty and is still horribly disfigured. She has difficulty chewing food. Her dream is to get her teeth fixed and be able to wear lipstick again. She's got all but one piece of her facial reconstructive surgery costs covered.
--Mid 40s Milford, MA woman, ninety lbs and five feet tall, is more than a year apart from the 6 foot tall 270 pound abuser who punched and kicked her so badly that she suffered seizures, memory loss and, by extension, the loss of her successful career as stenographer. She can open her mouth to no more than the diameter of a pencil, suffers chronic jaw pain, has all but one piece of the maxillo facial surgery and dental costs covered.
--Mid-thirties Boston single mother S.F. has been out of an abusive marriage for three years. She see-saws between reduced hours at work allowing her to take courses for a public policy degree and working full- time in order to keep bills paid but doesn't allow her anytime to dedicate to her education. She has just three semesters to go.
--A 33 year old Hispanic single mother, RD has survived several abusive relationships -- including one in which she was nearly shot to death. She has turned her life around completely, is a dynamic scholar attending law school while raising her teenage daughter and working in a women's shelter. As a lawyer she wants to work with survivors of domestic violence, Hispanic women in particular. RD is just one year of law school, and one year from self-sufficiency.
--A Rockville, MD single mother TMG, saw her verbally abusive husband/business partner turn physically violent after she delivered her baby. As a survivor, she's already completed the a two year IT degree, and is now just three semesters away from graduation and the opportunity to significantly increase her earnings capacity.
--A fifty-plus year old Rhode Island woman, L LC fell out of “upper class suburbanite” life in escaping violent marriage to Ph. D. medical professional. He beat her repeatedly even as she cared for her dying mother. Now divorced and with three grown children, she's less than a year from getting back the teaching credentials that will allow her to support herself again.
--Mid 20s Cambridge, MA single mom SR divorced her abuser in a southern state, was homeless in Cambridge before finding a supportive church community. SR has many published stories and is just three semesters from her teaching degree and the ability to increase esteem and self sufficiency.
--A Middle aged Quincy MA. woman LT left her batterer in 1992, raised their three children alone while working as nurse’s aide for sixteen years. She attended Quincy College on and off, earning high marks, but gave it up due to work and parenting. Recently LT was accepted at Mass Bay Community College but needs just a nominal financial boost to start next semester.
--A single mom in her thirties, North Adams, MA area, has a son with extensive medical problems. She works fulltime and goes to school, lives in a one bedroom apartment and sleeps on the couch so her son can have the bed. Having graduated Berkshire Community College, she is now three semesters short of the Maria College nursing degree which will allow her to double her current salary.
Can we count on your tax deductible gift at the $500 –-or any-- level to help transform these women’s lives right now?
Learn about additional ways you can donate and help us to support our effort to transform these women's lives.