A post written by Angela Frazier, a former Bradley Angle staffer and Tami’s daughter

I recently lost my mother, who experienced domestic violence in the latter part of her life. At the time, I was on staff at Bradley Angle. The Bradley Angle staff, my former colleagues and friends, and BA board members attended her service. I am so thankful for their support during this difficult time. But their support didn’t end there.

When presented with an opportunity to name a new program at Bradley Angle, my former colleagues chose to honor my mom. I never imagined they would do this and allow her legacy to live on. My family and I are truly humbled by this gesture. Knowing that a place will honor my mom and will continue to help survivors like her is unbelievable. I can’t thank Bradley Angle enough for the love and support they have shown my family.

I know what it feels like to not have a space for your life. It truly warms my heart to know that survivors will not only have a safe place, but a place to themselves. It is often that when a space in a shelter opens up there’s only one room for an entire family, but these apartments will allow families to have their own home… all to themselves. The shelter expansion will help even more families in Oregon who need to leave an abusive relationship. My family is thankful that these survivors will not experience the continued abuse that my mother dealt with: They have a place to go.

Knowing there are loving and caring people at Bradley Angle dedicated to ending domestic violence in our community, helps our family to heal. I find hope in seeing the good that comes from this program.

I look forward to hearing the stories of the people who are living in or leaving the program, to seeing the facial expressions of the parents and kids when they learn they have their own rooms and a safe place to live, and perhaps even planning a holiday meal with Damian Lillard’s personal chef, Kenneth James. But mostly, I look forward to starting a tradition to honor my mom on Mother’s Day by offering gifts and lots of love to the moms living in these apartments. That’s what I would do for mom.