Shynea is a SAHM to four boys and can be found blogging at Penny Pinching Diva, where she shares not only money-saving tips but also resources to help us all be better moms.

I have always been a big advocate for helping those who are less fortunate. When I was a teenager, my focus when volunteering was always directed toward charities who had an impact on children’s lives. It wasn’t until I got older that my focus changed. I got married when I was very young and I became the victim of domestic violence. The relationship was both physically, mentally and emotionally abusive. It was the most horrible experience that I have been through in my lifetime. I stayed in the relationship because I was hoping that things would change. I didn’t want to raise my sons in a broken home. It wasn’t until later on in the marriage that I realized that this “family” was already broken.

It took me years to get the strength to say that enough was enough. I remember the day when I finally decided to leave. My life was barely intact and my sons and I left with only the clothes on our back. It was a decision that I had been wrestling back and forth with for months. By that time the realtionship had gotten really bad. He had tried to take my life on several occasions and I just couldn’t take it anymore.

I chose the 2nd Chance organization as my charity of choice because they help women and their children get out of abusive situations. Though I was lucky enough to have parents that wanted to help me pick up my life and start over, many women do not have this luxury. When they leave their abusive spouses, it is usually a spur of the moment decision and they only have enough time to leave. The chance to pack clothing and personal belongings are left behind when a decision has to be made on whether or not they want to stay or go.

I have talked to, and seen, many women who have had to start over. From buying clothing to furniture and everything else in between, their lives are turned completely upside down. And this isn’t the worst part. They also have to find a safe place where they can go and hide from the one who has been abusing them.

2nd Chance is a safe haven for all abused women and children in my area. They provide a place for these women to live while they figure out what they want to do. Not only that, but they provide them with counseling and legal consulation so they can begin their journey in reclaiming their life. They also offer educational outreach to the community to create awareness and strengthen the movement against domestic violence.

They are a great organization and they need, and deserve, all of the help that they can get. Please consider making a donation to help other abused women so that they can get a second chance.

To donate $1 to 2nd Chance to change the lives of women and children living with abuse, click here. Please use “One Dollar Give” in the dedication portion of the donation form. After you’ve donated, come back and vote in the poll so that we can count donations!

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(Yes, the poll offers you the choice between “Yes.” and “Yes.” because I didn’t think we really needed to count the “No” answers, and the poll required two choices! Hey, it’s not a perfect system, but it’ll work!)