From trauma to triumph

Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma

Ashley is a mom of four who wants nothing more than to protect her children from the generational trauma she, her mom, and her grandma have all experienced.  

At 4 years old, Ashley saw her mom being abused by her partner. She had to run out of the house to find help because her mom was bleeding. She found out later that her grandma also experienced abuse. She knew she didn’t want to repeat that cycle, but despite her caution, her last marriage devolved into domestic violence.  

Ashley wondered how she got to this place. She was lying on the bed with her abuser, close to being killed. She knew that was the moment that she had to protect not only herself, but her kids.  

She prayed and cried to God about finding a safe way out. She still struggled with the generational trauma of violence against her mom and grandma and felt trapped by her circumstances. Her caseworker informed her about Buckner Family Pathways; a program designed for single mothers pursuing their education.  

The Power of Counseling for Healing and Restoration

Ashley said one of the most beneficial things she experienced at Family Pathways was the counseling. She was able to process both the trauma from the abuse in her former marriage and the violence she witnessed her mother endure when Ashley was young. 

Four generations of healing

Ashley calls her mom after every counseling session to debrief with her and share what she learned. These conversations have been so impactful that her mom often also calls her grandmother and all three of them process their stories together over the phone.  

Now, Ashley’s kids are healthy and stable, and they feel they can dream again about what the future holds. 

Ashley is thankful for what Buckner was able to provide for her and her family during a critical moment in their journey. She has now graduated from college and is working on her master’s degree. 

“To have Buckner Family Pathways in my life right now means hope, it means healing. I know who I am now. I’m more confident in who I am. I know what I stand for, and I know my worth.”  

To hear more of Ashley’s story, check out the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDr4H0Ks3OM  

Visit https://www.buckner.org/family-pathways to learn more about Buckner Family Pathways and how you can get started today.