Please introduce yourself (this can include your position and work at the Haven and/or informal information like hobbies).
My name is Sharon. I am a Counselor at our community building and domestic violence shelter for women and children. I have provided mental health support to individuals, children, families, and groups within the Tri-Valley area for the past two years. I really enjoy the work and all that I can provide to others.
When I am not in the office, I enjoy going fishing, exercising, cooking (baking), hanging out with family and friends, yummy coffee, listening to music, watching my youngest ride/rope on his horse, yard work, road trips, camping, and chatting on the phone.
Why do you work for TVH?
I work for Tri-Valley Haven because of the client populations we serve and support. They also have supportive staff members and a great counseling team. 😊
What are the services that you provide at the Haven and how are they being provided during COVID?
COVID definitely changed the way and how we provide counseling services to those in our community. We went from in-person sessions to video/phone secure platforms with our clients and residents. It has been an adjustment for everyone involved, but I am glad that we had the ability to continue services with minimal interruptions. I currently provide telehealth counseling to our community clients and in-person counseling services to our shelter residents with safety protocols in place for my clients and for myself.
Please provide a client success story.
The below story was written by one of Sharon’s counseling clients herself:
I am a past client of Tri-Valley Haven. When I first moved to Livermore in 2017 my dad did the running race to support the organization. Never would I have thought I would have needed the services two years later.
Without finding Tri-Valley Haven’s support group and most importantly, individual counseling with Sharon, I NEVER could have escaped my situation. I was basically held captive by my abusive, manipulate EX husband. Who controlled me. I was kept away from my family, my friends (who were all in New Jersey), not allowed to attend church and at the end I couldn’t even go to work without him stalking me and telling my son I wasn’t at work.
I cannot begin to explain to you how essential Tri-Valley Haven and Sharon were in my ability to overcome my situation. She helped me to think clearly. I honestly would have never understood what I needed to overcome and the mindset I needed to have to understand the cycle of abusive or to even think for myself and to not live in fear.
Two years later, Sharon has been on my mind as I see others in similar situations and I share some of the essential knowledge she shared with me. I put my son first and never want to think of myself. If didn’t gain the strength that she reassured me that I had in me, I never would have believed it, never would have overcome it and never would have survived. Counseling saved my life. Truly. I continued with groups and therapy and growing my faith. But please know, she was so incredible and she’s in my heart always.
Thank you to Tri-Valley Haven and all of the workers, volunteers and supporters for everything you all do. I am forever grateful.
~ From SG, April 2021 ~
What does TVH’s mission mean to you?
There is a saying “it takes a village to raise a child” ….. well this makes me think that it really takes a community and our society to bring and show peace, kindness, and putting an end violence. To have everyone’s home be free of trauma and healthy would be wonderful. I get to see this by supporting and helping others to understand and learn how they can take ownership of their mental health, their daily living, how to interact positively with others, and give back to their community; it starts with one client and resident at a time.
