Angeles' Story
Angeles Mendez has known Ana Serrano for 15 years now, prior to her starting ‘Las Valientes’. Ana used to take care of her children, who have special needs, that is where they met and became friends. She has a son who is 14 and a daughter who is 16. Angeles Mendez describes Ana as a very nice, responsible and accountable person. During the 3 and 1/2 years that her divorce was prolonged Ana was there every step of the way and guided her.
Angeles Mendez divorced her husband due to infidelity issues, there was no violence involved in her marriage what so ever. She describes her divorce as a civil one and opposed to a chaotic one, but it was prolonged due to her children’s conditions. She said that a lot of people would tell her that she should have stayed with her ex husband because he only cheated on her as opposed of abusing her but she feels that as a woman, she wants to respect herself and didn’t want to turn the other cheek when she discovered her ex husband’s infidelity. Her divorce was mutual agreement one but there was a lot of paper work to take care of that she needed help with. Ana helped her get the right paperwork and information in order and got her interpreters when she had court hearings so she could fully understand what the attorney’s and judge were staying.
During her divorce process she was afraid of being the head of the family, because that was a new challenge she would have to face such as paying all the bills and expenses as a single mother. Of course it was hard at first which is only natural for anyone who is experiencing a divorce. She talks about it being hard and sad adjusting her first year being divorced but she got used to it. Her children now see their father more often than they were able to when her and her husband were married. She is thankful that they are able to bond more now because he sees them every week and spends quality time.
Angeles is thankful for the program ‘Las Valientes’ and Ana for all the support that was provided during her divorce and difficult time in life. She continues to stay in contact with Ana until this day and encourages/ recommends people to ‘Las Valientes’ whenever she feels like they could benefit from it like she did. She also encourages women to respect themselves and not to feel obligated to stay in a relationship because they feel like there is no help or that they cannot afford to become single parents, she doesn't guarantee that it will be easy, but she does say that once you do it is does feel satisfying. Also, to look for help because there are many great organizations like ‘Las Valientes’ who will help and genuinely care for you every step of the way.
Angeles Mendez divorced her husband due to infidelity issues, there was no violence involved in her marriage what so ever. She describes her divorce as a civil one and opposed to a chaotic one, but it was prolonged due to her children’s conditions. She said that a lot of people would tell her that she should have stayed with her ex husband because he only cheated on her as opposed of abusing her but she feels that as a woman, she wants to respect herself and didn’t want to turn the other cheek when she discovered her ex husband’s infidelity. Her divorce was mutual agreement one but there was a lot of paper work to take care of that she needed help with. Ana helped her get the right paperwork and information in order and got her interpreters when she had court hearings so she could fully understand what the attorney’s and judge were staying.
During her divorce process she was afraid of being the head of the family, because that was a new challenge she would have to face such as paying all the bills and expenses as a single mother. Of course it was hard at first which is only natural for anyone who is experiencing a divorce. She talks about it being hard and sad adjusting her first year being divorced but she got used to it. Her children now see their father more often than they were able to when her and her husband were married. She is thankful that they are able to bond more now because he sees them every week and spends quality time.
Angeles is thankful for the program ‘Las Valientes’ and Ana for all the support that was provided during her divorce and difficult time in life. She continues to stay in contact with Ana until this day and encourages/ recommends people to ‘Las Valientes’ whenever she feels like they could benefit from it like she did. She also encourages women to respect themselves and not to feel obligated to stay in a relationship because they feel like there is no help or that they cannot afford to become single parents, she doesn't guarantee that it will be easy, but she does say that once you do it is does feel satisfying. Also, to look for help because there are many great organizations like ‘Las Valientes’ who will help and genuinely care for you every step of the way.
