My name is Dannielle. I’m 19 years old and I’ve been living at YMCA for a few months now. I want to firstly thank you for supporting YMCA because in the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve been feeling so much better about myself as each day passes.
When I first arrived I was a completely different person. I was very depressed and closed in. I couldn’t look at a person in the eye, even when they talked to me.
I left my parents’ house because I felt like I couldn’t take it there any longer. Staying there just made my depression worse. It all started when I was 14 and we moved from a town into the countryside and we didn’t have a car. We were very isolated where we lived, which took a toll on me and my brother and sister. I didn’t go out much at all.
I became even more closed in when, one day, my brother punched me in front of my friends. That hurt me a lot – emotionally and physically. I would be so scared to say my own opinion in front of my family because my brother would get really angry and threaten to hurt me. He had a very short temper back then, although he’s much better now.
Secondary school added to my depression because of the pressures to fit in. And I struggled with my grades in college and decided to take a year off. My parents also put a lot of pressure on me for being at home, doing nothing. It was at that point that I thought, “I need help.” I broke down completely. I tried counselling but it didn’t really help much.
My first night at YMCA, I was really excited. But before coming to YMCA my Dad told me that I would probably cry because I’m not sleeping at home. And I did feel a bit scared at first, and at one point I thought I was gonna cry. But then I thought, “You know what, you’re going be much happier here.” And so, I didn’t cry after all.
I referred myself to a talking therapist as soon as I arrived. And as time passed my confidence slowly started to build.
For the first time in my life I feel really optimistic about the future. And your room sponsorship helped make that possible for me.
Thank you so very much,
Dannielle