Tareema’s Story, Part I
Posted March 24, 2019
My name is Tareema Taylor and I wanted to take my time to tell my story and my experience with WomenFirst. I was introduced to the Shannon Olive when she worked as a Resident Service Coordinator in 2016 at the apartments where I currently resided, but I did not know she had a women’s organization until someone shared it with me. I saw Shannon at church and asked her if she could help me in September 2018, but prior to me seeking services from WomenFirst I had just been sentenced to 5 years of probation in June 2018. My child who was 6 ½ years old at the time was removed out of my care in November 2017.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane: my child’s father and I had been in a domestic violence relationship. There were numerous of calls made to Portland Police, we both had a record, and with the trauma I experienced I intentionally set his apartment on fire. In Oct. 2018 I was ordered by the court to complete a domestic violence group, attend mental health therapy, along with stimulation that was requested from DHS such as parent classes, neurologist brain testing, and other important test and reviews which will help determine my eligibility of reuniting with my son.
After court, I begin to work with my mentor (Shannon Olive) at WomenFirst who accepted every phone call I made and also the ones we agreed to, our scheduled appointments, assisted with advocacy, resources, follow-ups, a shoulder to cry on, and, don’t get me wrong, we had our days because there was times when I saw things my way, but Shannon was there to give me the truth and educate me how to approach things in a better way. On February 1st, I returned to meet with the judge to see what she was going to recommend. I can truly say that when I entered into the court I felt like a better person. I was prepared, dress to impress, a little nervous, but I felt secured about me this time than last time.
The judge was impressed and proud of my effort and my accomplishments. The judge told me to continue to meet my needs and within 60-90 days we can work on transitioning my son back home. When I met on March 13th for my Family Support Meeting again I was very nervous. The ending results of the meeting were, beginning on Sunday March 24th for two hours at my home, my son will be visiting me unsupervised.
A new beginning; I miss my son. I can honestly say to you without the support, love, and patience from WomenFirst understanding my trauma, I do not know how things would be for me and my son on this day. I urge you to make a donation and support the work of the organization so that can continue to impact the lives of women who are experiences or recovering from trauma.
Thanks,
Tareema Taylor
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In March 2019, Tareema Taylor wrote about her journey recovering from domestic violence and incarceration, and eventually being reunited with her son and beginning to heal from her trauma.
Tareema’s Story, Part II
Since then, Tareema’s resilience has been paying off. She successfully got off parole more than two years early, moved into a new apartment with her son, got her driver’s license and started a new job to top it all off. Tareema was also ninth graduating class from WomenFirst ‘I Love Me’ Women Empowerment Group.
Tareema says one thing she’s learned from being involved with WomenFirst is the importance of trust. “You’ve got to trust somebody if you want change,” she says, and that’s not always easy for someone who’s been through the trauma of abuse, addiction and incarceration. “That’s what I love about Shannon too: I can mess up, but she’s still going to be there for me. And that’s deep, because some people run away from you, or they judge you – Shannon doesn’t do that.”
Church has also been a big source of support for Tareema. “When I got out of jail with an ankle monitor, I got baptized with that ankle monitor on,” she says. “From then on, God has been strengthening and moving me.” During the pandemic, Tareema worked at the church from time to time, helping to sanitize the pews and other areas of the building. After it was clean, Tareema would go into the sanctuary and pray.
Tareema says she also learned the importance of setting boundaries with her family, and practicing self-care through WomenFirst. She enjoys bird watching, and loves feeding squirrels in different parks when she has time. “You’ve got to take care of yourself – even if it’s just for a day – because it keeps you grounded,” Tareema says.
WomenFirst often organizes outreach events to distribute food and personal protective equipment to houseless community members throughout the city during the pandemic. For Tareema, it has been both a way to give back to her community, and a way to get her foot in the door with other outreach organizations.
In 2021, Tareema landed a job doing homeless outreach for the Urban League of Portland. Her role consists of distributing food, water, hygiene kits, tents and sleeping bags around the city, and helping people get into stable housing. “That’s a highlight for me, because that’s something I’ve learned how to do,” Tareema says. “I remember when I didn’t know, and Shannon helped me find a place.”
Through her new job, Tareema also got connected with an entrepreneurship program, where she’s been working with a financial counselor to build her credit. She has also been saving some money every month to have on hand for emergencies. “I never thought to do that when I was dealing with addiction or going through domestic violence,” she says. “I wanted to be self-sufficient, and that’s where I’m at.”
She wants to eventually own her own home and start a business making T-shirts, and hopes to create opportunities for other formerly-incarcerated women in the process. When she talks about her vision, Tareema says, “I see me loving myself, and helping the next person out with whatever I learn along the way. The women from WomenFirst, they’re coming with me.”
