After Soyini Taylor Walton broke up with her boyfriend, he stalked her for months. Then came a terrible night: in 2009 when her ex hid in the bushes and ambushed her, shooting her in the face and causing her to lose an eye. In the event’s aftermath, Soyini resolved to find help. “Building Futures’ domestic violence support group at the Alameda County Family Justice Center saved my life,” Soyini says. “I learned about the cycle of violence, shared my experience with other survivors, and received tools for healing.” Two years after that terrible night, Soyini had met a man, married, and had a son. She wrote a book entitled, Going Through Hell to Get to Heaven. She even achieved her dream of earning an MBA. Today, Soyini is a frequent presenter on the topic of triumph over trauma. “Building Futures helped me understand not only violent relationships, but what a good one looks like,” she says.