• Amesbury Ma. Survivor Jill Hrubes, R.O.S.E. Award winner, earns B.A. from Simmons College
• New Bedford Ma. Survivor Carol M works two jobs, gets renewed R.O.S.E. Scholarship, moves toward nursing degree
• Lynn Ma. Survivor Crusita Martinez has R.O.S.E. Fund Surgeries, attends North Shore Community College, is reunited with her son
• Worcester Ma. Survivor Heralda de Jesus has R.O.S.E. Fund Surgeries, throws away mask, smiles at the world.
• W Springfield MA. Survivor Cathy Thomas, 34, gets renewed R.O.S.E. scholarship, will double her salary with nursing degree
• Special Ed Teacher Theresa Peterson, 39, seeks doctorate with R.O.S.E. Scholarship: Making Our Piece of the Planet a Safer Place
• Holyoke, MA survivor Elaine Kennedy, 50, nears BS in nursing as R.O.S.E. Scholar, has “revenge” of financial freedom, helping others
• Boston Survivor Samantha Daniels, 35, finishes college, owns home, has warm and loving husband, is “enjoying all that life has to offer”
• Testimonials from participating ROSE surgeons and physicians
• A Valentine's Day Love Story from the ROSE Fund
• Woman Whose Nose Was Cut Off To Get Free ROSE Surgery

Amesbury Ma. Survivor Jill Hrubes, R.O.S.E. Award winner, earns B.A. from Simmons College

Jill Hrubes, a 49 year old mother of three boys --ages 17, 15 and 8, suffered from low self esteem not long ago.  She worked in a cafeteria and was unable to leave an abusive relationship.  She had to walk into the admissions office of Northern Essex Community College three times before she got nerve enough to sign up for a course,  she told the Boston Globe when she  got the R.O.S.E. Award in 2006.   Since then Jill has earned THREE academic degrees.  Two are from Northern Essex Community College --in liberal arts and paralegal studies.  The third is her Simmons College B.A. in women's studies and social justice.  She has applied for a probation officer position and is beginning graduate school.  She’s also devoting herself to getting her two eldest sons into college and on good career tracks. 

Jill Hrubes is on the Board of Greater Haverhill Community Action.  She volunteers with The R.O.S.E. Fund and at The Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in Newburyport.  She also teaches Sunday school at her church.

In Jill’s words…  

“The turning point in my being able to leave an abusive marriage was the day my ex husband went after one of my sons.  I was taking it for me: that was one thing.  But I couldn’t stand to see it happen to my kids.” 

“My real life began after my divorce when I was able to make the decisions for myself and my family.  The R.O.S.E. Fund enabled me to go to Simmons College, to learn about myself and what was important to my family and my future. It had been a dream of mine to complete a degree.  It never seemed possible due to the expense.  Now my purpose is to enable others to leave domestic violence situations, to help empower them to follow their dreams and set up their own futures, free of fear.”

“Making the changes in my life that I have made over the last nine years --up to and including graduation from college-- seems surreal at times.  I have to pinch myself.  I look through term papers I wrote five years ago and I compare them to papers I wrote last year.  ‘WOW,’ I tell myself.  I got smart!’  I am grateful and fulfilled as I look forward to the next chapter in my life.  My eldest son is looking forward to his senior year in high school and is making choices for his future based on the guidance I have given him.  I’ve stressed the importance of education and of not settling for less.”

“What is my advice to others who are still in abusive relationships?  Walk through your fears and get out.  Find one person who will listen to you and who will not be judgmental.  Open up to that person.  Having someone who listens and who doesn’t judge is imperative to believing in yourself again.  Get out of the abusive situation.  Be confident.  Know that you will NEVER go back.  If you cannot do it for yourself, do it for your future generations to break the cycle.  You can make a difference in the world and it starts with closing that door behind you.  I will not say it has been easy, but it was the best decision I have made in my life.”

“I want to continue to be a part of The R.O.S.E. Fund.  It’s a wonderful network of people changing the world and its views on domestic violence.  I’ll be volunteering again at the Annual Awards Gala and I hope to bring all three of my boys.  I want them to see that here are people out there who want to help.”