OCALA, FL (352today.com) – For the first time in nearly 13 years, Emily can recognize her childhood home.

Emily, a domestic violence survivor and mother of two whose name has been changed here to protect her safety, had shared her home with her ex-boyfriend. She says that her ex collected debris from his contract jobs and dumped it in her front yard, promising to sell the items to support their children. He would instead come home with illicit drugs and cigarettes. In April, volunteers from local domestic violence support center CASA Marion cleared the debris and opened a path forward for Emily.

“I imagine it was a metaphor for the homeowner,” said Danielle Marciano, wife of Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano. “Removing all these unwanted items also helped her in a way remove the scars of the situation.”

Marciano spent four hours clearing Emily’s yard alongside other volunteers, including her husband; their three children; Craig Wilson, a youth basketball coach; and Alejandro Vargas, the owner of Alejo Painting and Trades.

Emily describes the transformation of her home from “disgusting” to “immaculate” and “lively.”

“Everything he brought,” Emily said of her ex, “just kept piling up and piling up.”

The piles in her yard came with painful memories. Because her ex neglected his duty to care for the home, Emily said that she held sole responsibility for its cleaning and maintenance. She once cleared her yard eight months into a high-risk pregnancy. But her home eventually returned to its former state.

Emily’s children are now eight and ten years old. Last year, she began working with Tiffany, an advocate with CASA Marion. Advocates create safety plans for survivors and coach them on achieving their goals in housing, childcare, economic security, and physical and mental health.

“I was so scared,” Emily said about first seeking help.

She describes a newfound confidence after working with a CASA Marion advocate, Tiffany, who was “politely persistent” to help Emily believe she could achieve independence. Though she had no paid employment in her previous relationship, she is now able to pay her bills on her own with a job at Publix. And while her income amounts to half of what her ex used to make each week, she’s received promotions, has custody of her children, and sees hope for her future.

Emily attributes her mental clarity to being able to stand in her front yard without embarrassment and is thankful for the volunteers.

“They were very kind. They weren’t judgmental,” Emily said. “They actually sat there and listened to me.”

The volunteers helped Emily on Friday, April 3, 2026–Good Friday. As Marciano describes, Christians see Good Friday as a day commemorating “Jesus’s great sacrifice,” referring to the Crucifixion, which they believe demonstrated his love for humanity, rendered suffering intelligible, and secured eternal life for his followers.

Liliana Cote de Bejarano volunteered in response to a request from her fellow parishioner at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Her family felt blessed to offer restoration from the violence inflicted on Emily and the home she treasured since childhood.

“We were not just cleaning a yard–we were helping restore hope, safety, and human dignity,” Cote de Bejarano said. “We recognized the suffering of those wounded by violence in the wounds of Christ.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the 24/7 hotline at 352-722-2272 for immediate assistance.

(DISCLOSURE: Article author Shelby Kearns works in community engagement for CASA Marion.)