WWW-Families to Freedom
This Warrior Women Wednesday post involves a topic that brings tears to so many. Women and their families struggle with pain, guilt and anguish of domestic abuse. Some feel so helpless and alone.
A social media friend of mine had joined a service that does something to intervene. My heart is happiest when I can introduce yet another creative and selfless soul that deserves recognition. Teri King, is among several women that are multi-talented and living a life that includes serving others. She is an author, tour guide, real estate investor, courier and in her spare time, helps domestic abuse survivors find that light at the end of the tunnel of despair and hopelessness.
Teri shares many titles, as a Daycation tour guide, she is helping people get-a-way one day at a time. She plans local adventures wherever you live, saves you the trouble of research, and provides exciting memorable trips. The real estate investing/ consulting along with the books she’s written keep you amused, but her heart belongs to the families she helps through the Families to Freedom program. She is a road warrior !
We don’t always get to have two drivers for long trips but this time it worked out! Teri and Sarah drove a mom and her children to family earlier this year. This mom had left from a domestic violence shelter in DFW having escaped threats and escalating violence. Along the way the kids watched movies, played in the back, and slept under cozy travel blankets. It felt great to see our client’s children greeted by family!
The road warrior buddies shared the long drive taking turns all the way to peaceful, green Portland, OR. Fortunate for them, the road trip home would be packed with sightseeing memories they’ll always cherish. And all because they stepped up to help a mom and her boys reunite with family and arrive with dignity. Your donation today helps fund our next road trip to help a mom and children reunite with family! https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/familiestofreedom
What does Families to Freedom do ?
Domestic violence victims are trapped in homes with their abusive partners. Domestic violence advocates report a variety of power and control tactics related to COVID-19 that abusers are using. Shelters across North Texas report they are at full capacity. Dallas area emergency shelters are allowing residents to stay longer which means space will remain unavailable to victims who become ready and able to escape. Now victims have to call shelters located hundreds of miles from North Texas or in neighboring states just to locate a safe place to hide from their abuser. Neighbors and friends are no longer willing to be around people outside their home. Even if a victim is able to secure shelter space, getting there is not free- unless they call Families to Freedom.
Families to Freedom is the solution for North Texas victims to get to safety during these extraordinary times. We removed a barrier by now providing rides for survivors to get to any domestic violence shelter anywhere in Texas, whether she is 10 minutes away or 10 hours away. Our service ensures victims can get to shelter without having to pay for a bus or taxi ride. Recognizing many victims don’t feel safe from COVID-19 at bus stations or airports, we are also driving survivors to family homes by car or van no matter how far away. Families to Freedom needs your donation today to continue to afford the transportation costs to get victims and shelter survivors out of their situation.
We must be there for victims seeking shelter, and help shelter survivors leave for family far away.
Testimonials:
– Without the help of Families to Freedom I’m not sure where my children and I would be right now. I greatly appreciate that there is such amazing people available in the world.
– I was [hesitant] to leave because Dallas was all that I knew, but after some time I realized leaving is the best option for us. It will open up a safer, more peaceful opportunity and a new journey that will benefit our future.
– I feel free and safe, also not to be afraid or beaten [or] sad. Thank you for your help.
– I need a chance to start over. I want a better chance of a good life and not be beaten.
– Please keep me in prayer, this is scary to me. To walked away from all I’ve ever known. I was married for 28 years. I came from sexual and domestic abuse before I ever met my husband. My prayer is to have healthy emotional and physical relationships for my new journey. Thanks for your help!
**These are all taken Directly from Families to Freedom page **
My Interview with Teri King:
1) Tell me about yourself, your family, and where you live:
I grew up in Dalton, MA, and was in Sales for many years. I moved to Texas in 2015 and focused on becoming an Omnipreneur. Omnipreneurship is an entrepreneurial approach to every aspect of life. Omnipreneurs focus on living more meaningfully.
I was married and have a 25 year old son who lives in MA. My 92 year old Mother and my 5 brothers are all located in MA except one, who lives near Buffalo, N.Y.
After my boyfriend of 13 years had a stroke in July of this year, I’ve, once again, started a new journey of rediscovery and purpose. He is now in a VA halfway house and with God’s blessings, on his way to recovery. On Dec 1st, I moved to Lucas, TX, where I’ve begun yet another chapter. Things move fast around me.
Currently I am an Independent Courier, working with multiple companies, driving all over the country.
I am VERY Blessed to live the life I live and I’m able to travel all over as I do daily, and still be able to help others in their greatest time of need. It’s my secret to all the energy everyone always tells me I have. I enjoy what I do, and I’m blessed to be of service.
2) What was your motivation for joining Families to Freedom non-profit:
I went to the volunteer meeting because it was being held at a modeling agency – I wanted to check out if I could become a star! But, come to find out, portfolios are expensive! So I spent my time talking to other volunteers and Sarah, the creator of F2F. They needed drivers. And I KNEW I was good at that (having been a 5 star Uber driver in MA and TX since 2014).
My Dad was an abuser, so I grew up with him + 5 brothers – That’s why I’m rough around the edges I was impressed that someone who had no reason to get involved, started a non-profit to help others. Sarah is my Hero! I wanted to help others, and this spoke to me as a way to do sonething I love (Drive/Travel) and help others at the same time. And after my first trip, I was hooked. The feeling you get after you “save” a family is pretty intense.
They can be reached, or donations given at: www.familiestofreedom.org
3) How does this help others ? Without disclosing names, can you give an example of what this program does for a family:
In a domestic violence situation, the victim(s) are most often kept away from everything and everybody. No friends, no money, no freedom, no way out. Families To Freedom offers the way out. We provide the ride, or a bus ticket, flights – whatever works best for the client. I’ve driven woman straight from the hospital to a shelter in another state; a woman who had been stabbed multiple times, along with her tweenage sons, who’d also been beaten. When you’re in the van for, sometimes, days, you become bit, big sister, a bit Mother, a bit counselor. My motto is always, “So What’s Next”. I get them talking about the actual tasks to complete tomorrow, and the next day. When you’re focused on tomorrow, building goals + dreams, you forget a little about yesterday.
4) How can we purchase your books ? Links ?
I’ve currently written:
- International Best Seller, “From Fear To Freedom” My first book is an Anology of 40 women’s stories about the worst day of their lives, and how with God’s grace, get through and move forward through tragedy. My chapter is about how I tried to commit suicide and was saved.
- Children’s story, “The Dragon, The Knight and The Princess” This childrens book was written in response to a Tea Party I planned. I was a property manager at a mobile home park and liked to involve the tenants with events, BBQs, pumpkin carving, game days, etc. I planned a High Tea for the kids, dress up, served tiny sandwiches, sweet tea + cocoa. I realized most teas involved talking, so I thought Id tell a story. It went over so we’ll, and is part coloring book, that I was encouraged to publish it – which I did!
* In process still, “Uber Mom Adventures” Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Teri-S.-King/e/B01MUZVP9B/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Uber Mom Adventures has been a work in progress since 2014 when I first started driving for the new ride share company in Massachusetts. The stories are about my experiences and life lessons learned from the folks in the back seat. It includes stories from MA, San Marcos/Austin, TX to Dallas/Fort worth to Washington State and back, and how it’s helped me to be so involved with Families To Freedom. Being an entrepreneur allows me more time, + freedom of time, to help others and pick up those 4-5 day trips.
5) Any words of wisdom for someone starting out as an entrepreneur ? How can they contact you ? Email ?
My best Life advice to anyone is Wake up with Blessings, Live in Gratitude, Go to bed with Humor. I find laughing before bed helps you sleep deeper and wake up happier. My best Business advice is don’t let ANY one tell you that you can’t do something – EVER!
You can reach me at: contactteriks@gmail.com
6) Is life better because you followed your passions ? Didn’t do the 9-5 ?
Absolutely! 100% I worked in outside Sales for many years, corporate cube job for a long time, but having the freedom to reap my full potential and cash in on it and travel for me – Priceless!! Finding purpose is difficult, it can be a roller coaster of a ride, but to truly find your strengths, finding how really good you are, is truly empowering!
How you can help:
Guns are the leading weapon of choice in domestic violence fatalities. Dallas and Tarrant Counties are deadly places for victims of domestic violence. F2F coaches our callers on how to get out carefully and safely. A ride to shelter or family helps her disappear from a dangerous, abusive partner. Help us with our mission as a volunteer driver. https://www.familiestofreedom.org/volunteer.php
Donations are always greatly welcome. If you’d like to make a donation, this supports the fuel needed for hundreds of drives for victims and gets them to safety!
Families to Freedom Information Address:
P.O. Box 1226
Addison, TX 75001 Phone Number: 972-885-7020
My thanks to Teri as she shared some very personal and an extremely rewarding glimpse of her life and passions. If you’d like to reach out to her you may at: contactteriks@gmail.com Take care all and stay safe !
