Today we’d like to introduce you to Donita Davenport.
Hi Donita, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was married to a wonderful, Godly man for 22 years. We built a life together. We married and had two children. I stuck by him through addiction and prison. I started a support group for family members of Meth addicts and he eventually, drastically cleaned up his life and we ran a recovery center together…or at least that’s what I thought until October 2022. That is when I found out that the life I was living was a lie. This man I was married to was not sober, he was not Godly and he was not faithful. For years I had suspected that something was going on, but I was never able to figure out what was wrong. This man I had married was very good at manipulating, lying, gas-lighting, and making me feel like I was crazy and there was something wrong with me. When I finally had proof, it gave me the incredible strength and courage I needed to kick him out of the house and my life. With him gone, I started to see my whole life differently. As I read, talked to people, and went to therapy, I discovered that the man I married had classic traits of a Narcissist, and that I had endured years of financial, spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. The more I shared my story, the more I discovered I was not alone. Not only am I not alone, there are hundreds, thousands of women just like me, who have endured what I call “Abuse it not always from a spouse”. And that is abuse is not always from a spouse. It can be from a parent, employer, child, etc. I saw a need, so I started a support group for women who have experienced Narcissistic abuse. The first group, 20 women showed up. That was 2 years ago and women still show up every week for support group. But the need is great, people need more than support, they also need counseling, education, community, and hope. So, I started Arise! a non-profit organization that offers weekly support groups, Soul Care counseling, weekly educational classes, and 1-on-1 mentoring to women who have experienced toxic relationships.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! Healing from the abuse I endured has taken a lot of time, energy, and work! And I am doing that while simultaneously starting an organization to help others heal also. In building Arise! I have struggled to find resources for my clients. The #1 reason women do not leave an abusive relationship is because they have no where to go. The #2 reason is because they do not have money. There are some shelters and safe houses, but they do not have the capacity to house all of the women and children who are in abusive situations. Along with that, many of these women, (this was my situation), do not have their own money. The household finances are managed and controlled by the abuser. Sometimes, the women are not permitted to work outside the home, so they also have no way of making their own money. So, while myself and the rest of non-profit America works to solve these issues, Arise! teaches these women how to find and get a job, create an exit plan, set boundaries, start talking about what they are going through and gather support for themselves. Through Arise! they can also learn how to navigate divorce court, file a restraining order, contact shelters and start the long process of healing.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Arise! is a new organization having started in 2023. We offer the services women need in order to heal after abuse such as support, mentoring, Soul Care counseling and educational classes about what abuse is, what is looks like, how to keep yourself safe, how to escape, and how to move past it. Our next class is about healing from “hidden” abuse. Hidden abuse is the kind that doesn’t leave bruises, it’s emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual. These educational classes are also offered live online via google meet and there is free childcare provided for clients who come in person.
All services are offered to clients free of charge or at an extremely reduced rate, there is also a scholarship fund clients can use to cover fees, and donors can give to. The weekly support group is free and anyone can drop in. You do not have to RSVP or come consistently to benefit from this service. There is also free childcare provided.
Arise! is unique in that every person involved has been through toxic relationships and Narcissistic abuse, from the Board Members to the Executive Director to the participants. So we all understand what each other is going through.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Since Arise! is a nonprofit organization, we do need donors in order to meet the IRS requirements. Donations can be made via the website or through the Colorado Gives Day website: https://mtyc.co/yh1k1g
Pricing:
- Soul Care $70/session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arise601.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arise_601/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arise601
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Arise-s6j
- Other: https://mtyc.co/yh1k1g
