Joanna Green's Story
On Thursday, October 6, 2011 Waypoint presented their annual Kirkwood Community College Scholarship Award at the Tribute to Women of Achievement event. This year's award winner was Joanna Green. Read Joanna's story in her own words below...
I would like to begin by thanking Waypoint and Kirkwood for providing this scholarship. It will allow me to breathe a little easier on my journey to becoming a teacher.
Until I went to Heart of Iowa on May 28, 2009, I didn't have the luxury of breathing easy. Before that date, my life was filled with constant turmoil. For about the previous 20 years, I withstood the verbal abuse of being called names, cursed at, blamed and constantly being put down, of making me feel worthless and insignificant. When I tried to stand up to these things, it lead into physical abuse, such as being slapped in the face, punched in the face, thrown down to the ground, suffocating me with pillows, chocking me to almost blacking out. I was not also left at home for days with my children and without food nor did I have means to acquire any. When I sought help from other people that I thought were friends, he made it sound to them like I had mental or emotional problems or was completely insane. I found out the reason why those people were not my friends were because he was supplying them with drugs. I became addicted to drugs. At first, trying to be closer to him. Eventually it was to escape the misery of my life.
When I thought about leaving him, the fear of him stopped me in my tracks. He just plain refused to go away. This continued for many years. In the end, when I caught him with one of his other women, I got beaten and the neighbors called the police. I denied the beating, again out of fear.
My daughter was more aware than I knew. She convinced me to go to Heart of Iowa who immediately took me to Waypoint to help me begin my healing. He moved his girlfriend into my house, MY bedroom, the same day. And that just scratches the surface.
The services I received from Waypoint, such as counseling for me and my son, support groups, workshops, helping with clothing and food for me and my son because when we left, we left with the clothes on our back, are making it possible for me to eventually take care of us.
I have been in the healing process for almost 2 years. During which time all the services which I received from everyone like Waypoint, Horizon, Heart of Iowa, Parent Partner’s, any many others including the community of Cedar Rapids, helped me see and learn a new way of life. I now know the impossible is possible.
This scholarship will not only help me be able to support me and my son, but it is also a way for me to give back what I received.
Becoming a teacher, having the life experiences, I do, will enable me to help the children and families struggling through similar situations. I hope to focus my teaching education on at risk children. I am currently attending Kirkwood and have recently received my Advanced Para Generalist certification.
I have been employed at Taylor Elementary for 2 years part time, through the thanks of grants. I am attempting to become a more permanent fixture through my education.
None of my accomplishments would have been possible without the services I received from Waypoint and the others. I hope the same help I received will remain available to women and children in the future.
I am a survivor I'm living proof the impossible is possible; I hope my story will empower other women. As Oprah says “Please take responsibility for the energy in your life.” Even when I have daily struggles in my life today, I try to take responsibility for the energy in my life.