Telling My Story | Dalania Stevens
“In my life, I've seen it all and now it's time for me to pass on this knowledge to you. All my sisters, my troubled sisters, this is my gift to you” - Good Woman Down by Mary J. Blige
Dalania Stevens is a beautiful, powerful force to be reckoned with. As a survivor of domestic violence, Dalania knows all too well how difficult it is to break the cycle of abuse and leave one's abuser. After surviving an abusive relationship and a nearly debilitating stroke, Dalania is ready to be a vessel to support other people who are experiencing domestic violence. D’House of Angels was started by Dalania as a non-profit domestic violence shelter providing community connection, housing, and resources for the greater Detroit area.
To help spread awareness and support survivors of domestic violence, Dalania and D’House of Angels are hosting a community event called Telling My Story: A Community Support Event in Detroit in October. Dalania plans for Telling My Story to be a large community event to gather attention and provide as much support for survivors as possible. From therapists, to the Department of Humas Services, to news stations, and maybe even the mayor, Dalania is thinking BIG!
Can you describe your project and what you hope to achieve from it?
“What I hope to do is to bring awareness around how severe domestic violence is in our communities. I want to connect people with mental health therapists and other resources. I want to include officials in Michigan like city council members. I want to share with people that they don’t have to do this alone. When I was going through my situation, I needed help. Now I want to help others.”
Why is it important to you?
“Because I know how it feels to be a victim of domestic violence. You can go to a therapist, but they probably don’t know how that situation feels. By me having been in an abusive marriage, I know how it feels, you are scared, you can’t escape, you lose a piece of yourself. I am passionate about it because it’s something that I have experienced so I can help. I still see a therapist and psychologist because I still have moments of flashbacks of being raped, beaten, and left for dead. I still have flashbacks of losing my babies. You still have to take care of your mental health as you pursue new things. Opening this shelter, I still have to take care of my health because I will experience lots of other energies and spirits; I need to be protected and there mentally for my clients.”
What impact do you expect this project to have?
"If a person comes to the event broken, I want them to leave feeling relieved and knowing there is someone out there to help them. People don’t usually talk about what is happening at home, they can be sitting at the event smiling and no one knows what they are going through at home. I want to bring awareness and create a space for them to breathe and provide resources for them to have access to in order to help others. I just want people to know that they are not alone.”
What are your plans for the project and your journey in the future?
In addition to her upcoming event, Dalania is in the process of establishing her non-profit domestic violence shelter. “In the shelter I envision a childcare center, resource center with job help, computer lab, temporary work service partners, a book club and library area, one-on-one counseling for both adults and kids, weekly group meetings, and transportation services. I want to find a secluded location with cameras and security so people feel safe.”
Going forward, Dalania is looking for funding to support her dream of opening a shelter where women and children will feel safe and supported.
“There you have it. I’m still with you my sisters, my troubled sisters. I still have troubles too - you can’t hold a good woman down. You’re not alone, I’ll always be there for you. Rock on, You can’t hod a good woman down.” - Good Woman Down by Mary J. Blige.
