Episode 45: Latosha Barnes (Patricia's Place)
Mar 2, 2022
When trying to envision the bigger picture of one's life or
career, the bumps and pains are not always realized on the journey
of becoming an accomplished professional. Although most of us would
prefer that we coast through life on easy street, the truth is that
no one accomplishes anything in this world without the scars to
prove it.
This is the case for inspirational domestic violence advocate
Latosha Barnes of Chicago, IL. The founder and director of
Patricia’s Place domestic violence shelter serves Chicago’s west
side and south suburban communities. She knows firsthand what it is
like to endure the pain and scars of domestic violence. “My first
experience with abuse occurred when I was a young girl. I
experienced my mother being beaten and introduced to drugs by her
ex-husband. Despite my grandmother attempting to shield me from
this violence, it would not take long before I realized what was
going on.”
Although Latosha hoped never to endure the kind of life that
her mother chose to overcome, it would not take long before her
family’s history caught up with her. At the age of 20, four months
after marrying her first husband and now a mother of two young
children, Latosha began to experience the trauma of spousal
abuse.
Latosha shares how she, her mother, and grandmother stuck out
relationships that would lead to broken bones, hospital stays, and
multiple calls to local police. She even watched her ex-husband go
after one of her daughters while she attempted to protect Latosha
from yet another attack. Enough became enough, and Latosha finally
got the courage to file for divorce. “I knew that this was going to
be the hardest thing I had ever done. I realized that I was stuck
in a pattern started by my grandmother, and now seeing one of my
kids endure her first form of abuse, God made it clear that it was
time for me to walk away."
After walking away, Latosha's future of success would begin to
take shape. Beginning with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary
studies and master’s degrees in criminal justice and addiction
studies, she also started to put her efforts into helping other
women, men, and children escape abusive situations.
Along with opening a safe home for other abuse victims,
Latosha is quickly becoming a voice for the voiceless through her
recently published book, Un-Veil: Surviving Domestic Violence, a
memoir and 10-step self-help activity and resource guide for
surviving spousal abuse. She is also in the process of publishing
her second book entitled, Pieces of My Childhood, which will share
an in-depth journey of her life and will be available through She
Publishing, LLC.
She has begun several domestic violence teaching and
counseling programs through Patricia's Place such as the S.T.A.R.
Program (Surviving Traumatic Abusive Relationships) and Purple
Power. These tools allow women to learn what resources and support
systems are available. She has also started a program for kids who
have lived in a family of domestic violence.
To learn more about Patricia's Place, please visit their
website at www.patriciasplace.org
You may also contact them directly at 708-996-4900 or
773-900-3301
If you are a victim of domestic violence or know of someone
who is a victim of domestic violence, there is help. Visit
the National Coalition For Domestic Violence website at www.ncadv.org. There is also
a hotline available to report domestic violence or get assistance
with domestic violence. The number is 1-800-799-7233
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