Heartland Family Service -- Samantha's safe now, thanks to you. She heard things no six year old should.  And on this night, she was awakened again by the sound of a loud crash. She knew it was the big kettle in the kitchen, that her dad had thrown it at her mom. Samantha’s stomach started to knot up, just like it did every time her parents fought. If things grew quiet again, she knew it was safe to go back to sleep. But if her mom continued to cry out, Samantha felt it was up to her to do something. It seemed like her dad would back off if she walked into the room. Samantha and her mother finally got out and sought shelter at the Heartland Family Service Safe Haven, where they could live in peace. They also got much-needed counseling. Samantha’s father attended a support group for batterers, and he’s finally accepting responsibility for his own behavior. It’s impossible to know if Samantha’s family will ever be reunited, but they’re all trying hard to make it work. And Samantha can sleep at night, in a safe place.

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