I found something strange on one of my adventures around North Texas. Well, it was merely mysterious to me, but I learned it was a saving grace to many others. And I didn’t even know such things existed until now.
While out one evening driving through the mid-cities area, looking at new neighborhoods being built with houses for sale and apartments renting units, we came across a low-profile community tucked out of the way inside a tree line. Curious as to its amenities, we drove into the complex to have a look around. At first, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly outstanding about the units themselves. They looked somewhat standard from the outside, but something about the way they were laid out was intriguing. All of the front doors faced a central point to the complex that was brightly lit and seemed to be constructed to allow easy surveillance. We also then noticed that the community had its own recreation center and church, all inside the gated complex. A woman approached us in the dark and frantically told us to leave the property. She didn’t seem to have any authority but was so insistent, we didn’t mind accommodating her. But then we quickly discovered the gate would not allow us to leave. A code was needed both for entry AND exit.
It was then that community officers and city police arrived to talk to us – the strangers on the property. One officer who approached was insistent to find out our business there and how we came to gain access. I then assumed we had stumbled onto some type of protected military base or residence. Before we could speak, the officer turned his attention to me and chastised me for being a tenant who should know the residency rules which included “no men allowed on the property.” I quickly explained I wasn’t a tenant and that my male friend and I were simply innocently looking around at the area.
The officer then angrily asked us several times, “you don’t know what this place is?” We shook our heads and kept assuring him that we didn’t know but that we were growing increasingly curious. Only after the officer was certain that we didn’t pose a threat, he explained to us the community was a home specifically for women who were able to escape severe domestic abuse. The complex was a refuge for themselves and their children where their address, identities and whereabouts were completely protected. Because of the secrecy, many residents weren’t employed. My friend and I assumed the housing was covered by some type of federal grant, but the officer told us the community was supported completely by private donors; some of whom were rescued by the project that backed the complex and eventually went on to lead their own independent lives.
The officer got our information to keep on record. This meant if we were to ever return, we would definitely get in trouble for being there. We drove away startled, but very pleased. We discovered there is a safe haven to which true victims of violence can turn. A place where the sole purpose is to provide protection, security and a sense of peace for an entire community of people who have nowhere else to go. I felt lucky to live in a world that has these things, but then I grew curious: just what else is out there that I know nothing about?