Diane Jeffries wins Making a Difference Award

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1-in-4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. The good news is there is help and assistance.

WLFI and Frontier Communications salute Diane Jeffries for dedicating her life to helping those in need as this month's "Making A Difference" winner.

For many years, the YWCA has been a safe haven for women seeking solace from abusive situations, women like Zonda Bryant.

"I was married for 20 years to a person who had trouble with their temper and became violent, and that was probably why I pushed myself through school, to try and be able to support myself and my children," comments Bryant.

It was through a YWCA support group led by Diane Jeffries that Zonda found the help she needed for her and her children. She says Diane helped her discover herself once again.

"She makes a difference not just in my life, but so many women's lives that come through here and they're broken and they don't know what to do and they come in here feeling like they're victims and she empowers them and teaches them that they are worth something and that they can take control of their life," adds Bryant.

"I was in an abusive marriage, first marriage, and I actually was a participant in the Reflections program many years a go and I liked the feeling that I achieved from the class for myself and I thought maybe one I could do something like that," Diane Jeffries tells NewsChannel 18.

And she does so while battling Multiple Sclerosis.

"I do not want to lose my independence at all I'm more stubborn in that I do not want to lose my independence. And I am fighting to continue to walk and I have a wheelchair at home that I am fighting to not have to use," said Jeffries.

Her strength is an example of the determination she has in making sure women like Zonda can rebuild their shattered lives.

"When I see all those faces, all those women who tend to show up time and time again, and I think if they can show up for the classes then I have to be available for them," comments Jeffries.

WLFI and Frontier Communications salute Diane Jeffries the "Making a difference" winner for June 2012.

Zonda Bryant, who nominated her, turned her own story into the book, " Faith A Call to Love ".