Montgomery County Women's Center

Sheltering Oaks has the capacity to house 75 women and children and features on-site counseling, legal, medical, child counseling and care services. Women are encouraged to attend yoga classes, meditation and book club meetings.

Raleigh said once women arrive there, begin the intake process, determine what legal steps they will take and get settled in, the healing process can begin. She said group therapy and counseling sessions have been effective in helping women to understand they have the power to take control of their lives and the choice to not return to their abuser.

Raleigh said unfortunately, many of them do return to their former situations, be it because of lack of affordable housing or trouble finding work.

As a result, the Reaching Pines transitional housing units MCWC has built specifically help women in transition and have been exceptionally useful for the organization.

The apartments come fully furnished and in one- to four-bedroom units. The complex is gated and safe, as a Montgomery County Sheriff's deputy lives full-time on the property.

Upon moving out, the families and women are allowed to take their donated furniture and household items to their next home.

"Once they get here and we get the process rolling, they can breathe again," Raleigh said. "These women become battered women; they don't set out to be a battered woman."

Raleigh said keeping up the momentum of moving forward is crucial to helping the women and children out of the shelter and into better, more empowered situations. Raleigh said getting through to the children is key, as abused kids are more than likely to end up as abusers or victims as adults.

"Every time a woman leaves here, finds a job and starts a new life, we know we've made a difference," said Raleigh. "It's never who you expect; it really is your neighbor."