Client Testimonials

“Coming from a childhood and early adulthood full of abuse. I told myself that I would never let anyone help me. I didn’t want any sub messages of “I owe you’s” that I was accustomed to. And I assumed no one would care to help without an ulterior motive. After leaving a DV shelter for the last time my faith was wrecked. I knew I needed guidance but growing up with child abuse that occurred from a pastor I was too afraid to search within a church. I googled spiritual help and my zip code and somehow KBF came up. I had never heard of them but I reached out and met with a woman volunteer. The next day I received a text from the volunteer stating the founder; Tara wanted to know what I could use. After telling myself that I would not allow any help, especially financially I replied “thanks, but I will be okay.” Two seconds later I received another text stating that answer was insufficient. I laughed and yet was still weary. I needed a lot, but was afraid I didn’t deserve the help and there would be consequences as growing up good was always followed with harm. I thought, I have a roof over my head finally so shouldn’t everything else just be a want?  After the volunteer reassured me that not everything was a want and it was okay to share my needs, I mentioned a few things. Bodywash, Underwear and A cleaning spray. Even asking for those seemed like too much. Two days later Amazon packages started arriving. It was the beginning of the pandemic. I had no family. Recently moved and was unfamiliar with the area. My minimum wage job had not yet started and I was sinking quick. I can’t say for sure that it was God. But what I can say is I was drowning financially, mentally and spiritually and the packages of supplies (more than I could have ever hoped for) started coming. I still remember sitting on my kitchen floor. Still without a table and chairs, thanking God for KBF. When I was unable to feel safe asking for help, they showed up. Many think it’s enabling to offer and will not help until asked. For those with trauma histories, we can’t often ask until we can trust. And I will always thank God for my google search that led me to help I never thought I even deserved.” 

“I have had a long history of abuse. Starting at a young age a family member started selling me to men for sexual favors. For years that was all that I knew life to be. Once I finally escaped my home I tried to convince myself that I could lessen the walls that kept people at bay and release the fears of being revictimized. Then I was found and being revictimized sent me back to the beginning. This happened multiple times until I finally had a couple years without any sexual and physical harm where I lived. As I was finally beginning to feel a sense of stability, I had to leave my apartment from unforeseen circumstances. Once again, I was broken. I reached out to KBF not knowing if or how they could help. Due to my trauma and mental health struggles, I was on a fixed disability income. Each move came with new costs that I learned to budget and save. However, it was never enough. KBF helped me cover the cost of a moving truck and movers due to chronic physical health conditions where I couldn’t do it on my own. Not only did they help with that, but the new apartment lacked some necessities like a microwave that they helped me with. They came with me on my move in date as the movers were males and after a history of trauma, I have been afraid to be alone with a male. They showed up financially, but even more impacting than that, they were there in presence. Affording me a sense of safety and comfort.”

“I cannot say thank you enough for Tara and the KBF family. Tara helped me in a time of need where I had no one to help and had no idea where to turn. What she did in that moment was so meaningful I can’t put into words. Even more she continued to stay in contact! I had never known someone to show such compassion before and I was grateful for the quick response and attention to my need. Still, she continued to check in. She’d ask how I was, if I had any needs and how I was doing on my journey of recovering from trauma. She was a consistent in my life and still is. After feeling isolated and alone for so long, Tara came into my life and she continued to see how I was. For someone who had no family. She became the one person I knew I could talk to. She helped me find resources and even helped me get to therapy a few times when my car was in the shop.”

“Tara has a heart of gold. As a volunteer I have watched her switch gears in seconds. From heading up a day at the holiday spot, to receiving a call of someone in need and delegating her initial plans to  another to oversee so she could run out and try to help a referral that came in moments prior. If you have never volunteered at one of KBF’s fundraisers or events. I highly suggest it. To see all the Christmas gifts from sponsors to the Bingos that provide much needed funds. Even all the behind the scenes that have to go in to make any of this necessary. I went into volunteering initially in hopes to pay it forward. Instead, I realized what I received in my spirit was more that any volunteer work I did could measure up.”

“My husband passed away last year. Having two kids under the age of seven I didn’t know how to make ends meet. I moved back in with my kids to my mom’s one bedroom apartment while I tried to save money and increase my credit score. Now I am getting ready to move into a place just for the kids and I. KBF helped me at one of my lowest points. My depression was so strong yet I had to keep going for my kids. I couldn’t have done it without the help of KBF. You were such a blessing. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”

“The holiday times are expensive. On a fixed income in recent years it’s been even harder. I save to try and provide for the kids the best I can. KBF picked up where I could not. The little additions of wrapping paper and food was an exciting but unexpected addition that helped so much”

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