Tiffany knows what it’s like to be unable to return home. Facing abuse from a past partner, she sought refuge at a women’s shelter in Connecticut where she was nothing but a statistic. Sleeping on a bunkbed in a packed room with one shared bathroom, she was overcome by the feeling of hopelessness and the worry that she and her son had no place better to go. The experience gave Tiffany the understanding of why so many victims of abuse end up returning to their abuser.
That’s why Tiffany wants women escaping and surviving domestic violence to feel confident that they can make a fresh start in a place that will feel like home. She seeks to empower them to leave their abusive situations by providing resources and tools to succeed. Tiffany knows it’s the “little” things that matter. Women will be welcome with all their children and their pets, which is unlike many shelters that tend to be restrictive.
Preliminary plans are in the works for the drug-free Alula Sanctuary. Self-funding this initiative, in addition to accepting grants and donations, Tiffany’s vision for the retreat includes programming like yoga, pottery, equine therapy, and horseback riding, with the option of natural healing sessions led by professionals. Women at the Alula Sanctuary will leave with the resources they need, whether that’s an attorney, new skills, or a job interview, and most importantly, feeling safe and empowered with attainable goals.
On more than one occasion, Tiffany has feared for her life. In Utah, she has a permanent criminal protective order against a past partner. According to Tiffany, he violated that protective order nine times and was not arrested. After he was finally held accountable, his probation was terminated in half the time for “good behavior” without giving Tiffany any notice or time to safely prepare. At the same time that her former partner was released from probation, he was actively abusing his new girlfriend. It is clear that the system is broken.
The past two legislative sessions, Tiffany has engaged a lobbyist to fight for victims and parents’ rights. As a result of her efforts, police departments are required to have policies in place when responding to a domestic violence call. She is developing relationships and partnering with advocacy services to hold law enforcement and the judicial system accountable for poor outcomes.
And because Eagle Mountain is still a place Tiffany calls home, Tiffany is on track to open the first emergency domestic violence shelter in Eagle Mountain, and is working with local law enforcement to get necessary resources into the valley to help victims of violence. She is committed to making a difference and fueling her community with the hope that it is possible to escape. Nobody should live in fear. Survivors can win.
Just look at her.
