Agency offers help 'like no one else'/Abused mother makes new start

Beatrice Mata escaped from New York late in the night on a Greyhound bus. She packed up her "babies" and fled their unsuspecting father while he was out with friends.

Although the relationship ended in 2000, the man had been harassing her, "doing all kinds of stuff to me," she said.

"My kids' father beat me almost to death," Mata said in halting English. "But I didn't want to call the cops and charge him because of my kids."

So she formulated a plan with her mother - "the only one who knew" - to stay in Colorado Springs with a cousin she'd visited once in 1998.

"It was hard for me because I didn't want to leave my family. My mom is sick," she said. "I told Mommy I'd always think of her."

Mata and her boys, ages 4 and 7, arrived in October - nearly penniless.

Mata's plan to live with her cousin was short-lived because the housing development where her cousin resides allows guests for no longer than seven days. Mata managed to stay longer, however, largely because of emergency surgery she underwent Oct. 17. But after one month, Mata and her boys were left homeless.

That's when she contacted Susie Barger at Pikes Peak Community Action Agency, one of 12 local organizations that benefits from The Gazette/El Pomar Foundation's Empty Stocking Fund. Barger arranged emergency housing for the family, brought them to food pantries and food banks, and bought clothing and toys for the kids.

"And she said, 'I'm going to get you a coat,'" Mata said. "Susie Barger has been there for me like no one else in the world."

Through PPCAA's "Transitions to Independence" program, Barger plans to help Mata obtain her GED, learn computer skills and work toward becoming a certified nursing assistant.

"But she can't do any of this yet because she's worried about keeping a roof over her head," Barger said. "She needs to stabilize her emergency situation at the moment."

"My priority right now is getting the December rent paid and finding a job," Mata said.

Separation from her family has been difficult. "I miss my mom and my dad. They were the only people by my side. Now I'm almost 3,000 miles away," she said. "But that's OK. It's better for my kids.

"I did it, and I know it's been hard," she said, "but at least I'm alive."

TO OUR READERS

Throughout the holiday season, The Gazette will feature stories about the 12 agencies that receive money through The Gazette/El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund and about the people they serve. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Empty Stocking Fund, send a check payable to Gazette Charities-Empty Stocking Fund to P.O. Box 400, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Or donate online at www.gazette.com or www.Colorado Springs.com. Credit card donations can be made by phone, 476-1673.

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