Thank You For Your Help

From: MRFF Client’s E-mail Address Withheld
Subject: Thank You For Your Help
Date: December 6, 2021 at 1:40:25 PM MST
To: Michael L Weinstein <[email protected]>

Mikey,

I wish I would have known about MRFF when I was going through my divorce during the year of 2020. I was in one of the darkest places of my life and I had never felt more isolated and alone. I was being abused in all forms; mental, emotional, verbal, and even physical. When I made the decision to remove myself from the situation with my husband, I believed I had to do it all on my own. It was so overwhelming that I considered taking my own life because I was ashamed of my situation, I was embarrassed of what was happening to me, and I felt like I couldn’t make it on my own because of what he made me to believe. By the grace of God, I was able to get somewhere safe and put a roof over me and my sister’s head, who at the time was living with us. I remember reaching out to his command at the time by phone and email in hopes of getting the local chaplains help,  but to no avail, I was never contacted nor did I receive any help from them.

I had heard in the past that the military protects their own, even when they are in the wrong. In a time like this where I found myself in a dangerous place, my hope was further diminished when I was stonewalled by his command after I attempted to make multiple forms of contact. In between receiving threats from my husband almost on a daily basis, my phone being turned off, being jobless, and my bank accounts being frozen, I somehow made it out and in a safe place of my own with my sister. I was at an utter loss for words when I realized what I had heard over the years was true; even when their people are in the wrong, the military usually does protect their own over doing the right thing that aligns with moral and righteous character. I had always believed that in a situation like my own, women had resources and people they could contact within the military body that would help, simply because it is the right thing to do; I quickly found out that I was very wrong.

I came across one of your articles a few weeks back, and could not help but think how my situation might have been different if I would have known to reach out to you and your organization for help in the midst of my situation last year. I felt so hopeless as I was becoming virtually homeless until I found a safe place, and I almost ended my life because the mental and emotional stress was almost too great for me to endure. The feeling of overwhelming hopelessness from depression and the abuse that I endured, would have been easier for me to navigate if I had reached out to your organization for help. 

Unfortunately, I am still dealing with some aftermath of my divorce today that has caused me to have to look for somewhere new to live. It was recently that I came across one of Mikey’s articles that I decided to reach out to him personally. I was terrified to reach out because my ex made it clear that if I ever tried to tell anyone anything about what happened, I would regret it. I cannot praise Mikey and his organization enough – I have received unending support and non-stop communication ever since I initially reached out looking for help. Mikey has personally been contacting me round the clock with updates and any new developments he has. Even though this is after the fact of my divorce, I have felt a new sense of overwhelming hope – something I have not felt  in this situation, ever. Something MRFF did was they listened to me, and they believed what I had to say. After virtually being stonewalled and made to feel crazy by my ex-husbands command, it was hopeful to know someone actually believed me, after everything I had been through. If I could leave you with anything, it is this; You are not alone, there is hope, and there are people who genuinely care about you and your situation. They will turn every stone until they have exhausted every resource to get you the help and contacts you need. There are still good people out there that truly care about doing the right thing – do not lose hope and know there are organizations out there like the MRFF that cares about your story and will listen to you. Be encouraged. 

Thank you, (MRFF Client’s name and all related contact information withheld)