Trigger warning: This story contains content about domestic violence. Please take care of yourself.

NOTE: In a previous blog post, Kiana chose to use the name Athena.

In Indiana, nearly one in two women report experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. Indiana ranks among the top five states in the country for domestic violence incidents.    

Lisa’s Story 

For years, Lisa endured a relationship she didn’t realize was abusive. It was just the way life was to her – verbal, financial and sometimes physical abuse. She knew she had to make a change for her daughter. She didn’t want her to think domestic violence was acceptable. “I felt that she was going to grow up and think that’s normal,” says Lisa. “I don’t want anybody talking to my daughter that way.” 

Lisa wanted to break the cycle, to teach her daughter that love could exist without pain. It was this desire for change that ultimately led her to Coburn Place. 

Kiana’s Story 

Kiana’s journey to Coburn Place began with a series of traumatic events that left her constantly on edge. It started as seemingly small intrusions like her abuser showing up uninvited at her house. But over the years, it escalated into something far more sinister – harassment, gang-stalking and a constant fear for her and her children’s safety.

She spent seven years looking over her shoulder with little help from the legal system. Seven years without proper rest. “I needed a bodyguard, I needed safety, I needed to rest,” says Kiana. 

Relief and Safety 

Both women felt a weight lifted from their shoulders upon arriving at Coburn Place. “When I first arrived, I felt relieved,” says Lisa. “I knew I had my own little safe haven.” 

Coburn Place’s dedicated building is gated with 24/7 surveillance and offers an environment where survivors of domestic violence can take a breath. “My first night at Coburn Place, I slept for 24 hours,” says Kiana. “I didn’t have to be in flight or fight mode.” 

They desperately needed safe housing first to begin the process of healing. 

Housing is the most urgent need reported by survivors as they work to leave an abusive relationship.   

Coburn Place Housing 

Coburn Place offers safe, private, fully furnished apartments at a dedicated building in the heart of Indianapolis where survivors like Lisa and Kiana can live rent- and utility-free for up to two years. Community-based housing options are available for survivors with lower safety barriers.    

Coburn Place Supportive Services 

Beyond housing, Coburn Place offers a range of supportive services designed to help survivors heal and grow. Adults and kids can participate in programs – together and separately – designed to build stability, focus on healing, connect with community, create joy and make a fresh start. Most programs occur monthly and cover topics like counseling, therapy, life skills training, financial literacy workshops or career development resources. For children, they provide specialized activities that promote emotional well-being, healthy relationships and educational growth.   

Meeting Each Other 

It was during one of these programs that Lisa and Kiana first crossed paths. Kiana’s dedication to her healing journey was immediately evident. “I was a professional participator,” she says. “I went to every single program they had – I was ready to learn.”  

Lisa noticed her right away, admiring Kiana’s spirit and determination. “She was working the programs and making the programs work for her, and I admired that,” says Lisa. “She’s a go-getter, and a diva. And I like divas.” 

“Once we started talking, I saw that she was a younger version of me. And I was so proud she recognized the trouble that she was in before I did,” she says. Their shared experiences and commitment to rebuilding their lives became a strong foundation for their beautiful friendship. 

Working with Coburn Place Advocates 

Along with programming, survivors have dedicated advocates to help them along their journey. Advocates do just as their name implies, advocating for survivors’ needs and walking alongside them on their path forward. Support from an advocate can vary depending on the survivor’s personal experiences, circumstances and goals. 

For Kiana, her advocate was a lifeline during a crucial moment – she went into labor during a snowstorm the week of Christmas while living at Coburn Place, and her advocate didn’t hesitate to drive her to the hospital and stay with her overnight. “They overextended themselves and showed me a different kind of love,” she says.  

Lisa’s advocate was a steady source of support during her transition out of Coburn Place, helping her find secure housing and other resources to ensure her continued stability. “You’re taken care of like you are family,” she says. 

Lisa and Kiana’s Support for Each Other 

Lisa struggled with support from her family. She had strained relationships for the sake of her abuser. This is not uncommon. It can be difficult for survivors to leave their abuser, and when they do, their support systems are no longer willing or have the capacity to help. 

Lisa and Kiana found a support system in each other and their community at Coburn Place. “Her friendship is very therapeutic to me,” says Lisa. “We talk 20 times a day. She really is my bestie.” 

 Whether it was attending programs together, sharing advice or simply being there to listen, they connected at a deep level.  

At Coburn Place, more than 83% of survivors transition into safe, permanent housing.    

Future Plans 

Both women have now moved out of Coburn Place and into safe homes. Their bond is as strong as ever – they live in the same apartment complex, hold jobs at the same company and remain the best of friends. Lisa has become the godmother to Kiana’s children, cementing their friendship as a lifelong connection. 

Looking to the future, Kiana has big dreams. She plans to study law, hoping to use her own experiences to help survivors navigate a legal system that can often feel confusing and unkind. Her goal is to make it easier for others to find justice and safety. “I plan on continuing working in domestic violence, especially with protective orders. I want to be an expert in that,” she says. “The things I went through, a lot of women don’t survive.” 

Lisa is excited to focus on her family. “I have my daughter and my three grandchildren, and I want to live a healthy life,” she says. “I would like to see them grow and I am happy that they do not see me in an abusive relationship.” 

Lisa and Kiana’s friendship is a testament to the healing power of community and the strength that survivors can find in each other. Their journey highlights the critical need for safe, supportive spaces for survivors of domestic violence – places where healing isn’t just a possibility but a reality. 

Every year in Indianapolis, 500 families are homeless due to domestic violence. Coburn Place can only serve 100. 

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