Helping Families Thrive
By Ruthann Quitiquit, president and CEO, Parents And Children Together
Parents And Children Together (PACT) was founded 45 years ago at Kuhio Park Terrace in Kalihi. Today, PACT provides family-oriented services statewide to help individuals identify their strengths, overcome difficulties and live to their fullest potential.
PACT helps adults raise healthy children, provide for their families’ needs and become contributing citizens. It assists at-risk teens, provides developmental screening for young children, offers affordable early childhood programs, encourages family peace and provides domestic violence crises services.
It also assists with job training and facilitates community problem-solving.
Listen in on one woman’s journey with PACT: Allie’s healing began when she made a phone call to the Family Peace Center. Allie had been involved with Dexter for more than 20 years. Dexter yelled at and ridiculed Allie. He threatened her life and belittled her in front of their children. He told their children, “I wish your mother was dead.”
He was always on edge and suspicious. Dexter’s crazed, possessive behavior caused Allie to question her own sanity. As Dexter got more volatile, Allie realized she had to leave him, so she filed for a temporary restraining order. Dexter showed no remorse. He rampaged their home, leaving it a disaster zone.
Allie escaped to the PACT Family Peace Center. There, she found women with similar experiences. She found acceptance and belonging. Allie no longer felt like she was “walking on eggshells” all the time. She learned to set healthy boundaries, take control of her life and have confidence in herself again. She recalls: “I learned that I’m not as broken as I thought I was. I still have a lot of good in me.” If anyone needs to reach out for support, Allie encourages, “The Family Peace Center is a safe place to talk. You can rediscover yourself and learn who you are and who you can become.”
Visit pacthawaii.org or call 847-3285 for more information. For the PACT Puuhonua Domestic Violence Crisis Counseling line, call 585-7944
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