our Team

Learn more about the ways you can donate or get involved with The Butterfly Collective to help domestic violence survivors.

Lynne Fiscelli

Founder

Ashley Sonnenfeld

President

Heidi McQuade

Secretary

Jennifer Ruth Kaferle

Treasurer

our Success Stories

The Butterfly Collective is a great resource and support group for women experiencing domestic violence. I was able to hear other people’s stories. I met women that were going through things I had gone through in the past and women that had passed, survived, and succeeded.  It was nice knowing I wasn’t alone. With their help I was able to stay strong because I knew I wasn’t alone and seeing how others made it. Thank you Lynn!

I got married when I was 18. One year into my marriage began my 20 year journey with domestic violence. During my 10 year marriage I endured psychological abuse, some physical abuse, everything I did was controlled and I was made to think that I was unattractive and not worthy of love or respect. I was cheated on repeatedly during my marriage and he even had some of the women in our home. We have three children together and I had three miscarriages after my firstborn. During my last two pregnancies he was with other women and wanted me to have abortions. I refused to do so and for that reason he made it clear that he was entitled to the tax return every year as repayment for me not having abortions. When I was 23 he told me that I had a mental illness and needed medication. So I went to a psychiatrist and was put on medication. After a year being on the medication I did not like how I felt and had to wean myself off. Nine years into our marriage I finally found a good job and was confident that I made enough money to file for a divorce and make it on my own with my children. I filed for the divorce on my own and requested joint custody because I wanted the children to be able to see their dad more than just on the weekends. About six year after our divorce he apologized for being a terrible husband.

I felt amazing after my divorce! I was on my own and did not have to walk on eggshells in my own home. My ex-husband still tries to be controlling and has tried to turn the children against me, however they are older now and can understand what he is trying to do.

I thought that divorcing my husband was the end of my abuse but I had no idea that it was about to get much worse. Even though I left him and felt great about it, I was very damaged and thought I was not worthy of respect and love. My next two relationships were extremely physical and I endured broken bones, concussions, black eyes, etc. On top of more psychological abuse and extreme jealousy.

In 2019 I decided I had enough and did not care if I was alone for the rest of my life but I desperately needed some peace in my life. I had no idea that leaving was going to be so hard. I have installed a camera outside, I am constantly checking that my windows and doors are locked, I got my ccw, I have a very hard time trusting people and for that reason I do not have close friends. I have always hid my abuse because I was embarrassed and did not want any sympathy. What little abuse my friends and family knew about was kind of swept under the rug because they thought if it was that bad I would have left.

Now 7 months after leaving I have rented my own home and have a safe place for my children and I. I was introduced to The Butterfly Collective and even though I have not attended meetings yet, I have been able to meet some amazing women. I received help for my first Christmas with my children in our new home which was amazing! It is so comforting to know that there are good people among us. I still have a very long way to go but I know that if I am strong enough to still be here today, in time I will find myself. In time I will be able to open up and be more trusting and realize that I am worthy of love and respect.

Telling my story is a huge step for me! With the help of those that love me, my children, the Butterfly Collective and the domestic violence hotline, I am proud to say that I am a SURVIVOR!!

There I was lost in a fog of what I can only describe as my own personal Hell.   Left alone handicapped with my three sons, unemployed, robbed of my property, my credit, my self-esteem, declining health, missing furniture and drowning in a world of changes and uncertainties I found myself in the midst of the worst domestic situation I had ever been in.  As my entire world was sinking, it took everything I had to at least appear that I was just fine.  I spent hours on the phone calling for help.  It was almost a full-time job, every agency was full, booked, out of funds, or had a long waiting list.  I felt like everything was closing in and I was losing hope in finding help.

Reminding myself to breathe and that God will get me through this wasn’t a daily thing but became a way of survival.  It was as if it was on a continuous loop, not only during my waking hours but during the nightmares.  Then the loop was interrupted and God moved into my life The Butterfly Collective.

Lynne immediately went into action, through her organization, we not only received donations of a couch, recliner, towels, microwave, bed, bookcase but our family was adopted for Christmas and received a truly blessed Christmas.  Lynne organized everything and placed me in contact with each sponsor.  She was always there to assist, even during moments when I clearly just needed to get everything off my chest.

During my family’s rebuild, The Butterfly Collective not only placed us with sponsors to help donate items, adopted us for Christmas but they also went above and beyond and helped raise funds to stop the repossession of our family vehicle.  When every call was redirected or a dead end, when every door seemed to be shutting or at times slamming in my face, there all along was The Butterfly Collective, gathering sponsors, spreading their wings and lifting me and my family back up, not only in material and monetary donations but in spirits and hope!

I thank God for The Butterfly Collective and what they stand for and bring to the community near and far.  Forever, in my heart, I will hold dear to me, Lynn and The Butterfly Collective.

My name is Rosaria & I was married to a man, my husband for 23 years who was abusive throughout the entire marriage and we have 4 kids together.

It was physical and verbal (emotional) abuse. I thought that I was the only person in the world that was in an abusive marriage. I tried many times to leave with the kids & succeeded but I would always come back for many reasons.

But when I finally did leave back in Sept of 2018, without my kids, thank God they were all in school, I was so, so scared my heart was racing, leaving one afternoon with only the clothes I had on, my purse and the keys to the car, I left without looking back.

No shelters had room for only me on a Friday night. I called Macomb, Oakland and Wayne. That right there told me that I wasn’t alone. But thank God for my brother, a friend of his, who is my angel and always will be my family now, took me in her home no questions asked. I’m still with her and because of her I met Lynne Fiscelli of The Butterfly Collective at a fashion show fundraiser that the non-profit was having to increase awareness for abusive relationships and to raise funds for those survivors in need. They really opened my eyes and the models that they used were women who were abused and got through it and gave me hope that I too can get through this. With the support of family and friends and now Lynne, The Butterfly Collective I feel even more confident and truly believe that no human being should be treated that way.

I was introduced to Lynne from my angel who has helped me get there and as I was talking to Lynne, telling me her personal story, I felt a weight off my shoulders that I wasn’t alone, and there are people here to help me get back on my feet in all aspects of my life! Lynne explained to me how The Butterfly Collective helps survivors get back on their feet, the emotional aspect and stress of being on your own for the 1st time for me at least after 23years. How it is possible to be strong again and find true unconditional love and happiness and most important peace.

The group meetings The Butterfly Collective has once a month has helped me tremendously by helping me believe that none of the abuse was my fault and that sharing my story with other survivors in the group that we are not alone, each time I go to a meeting I feel better about myself, we help each other, we encourage one another, we stand taller and stronger! Yes we went through horrible times but as Lynne told me when I 1st talked to her, that we need to love ourselves 1st and this helps us grow as a woman, mother and as a human being. At these meetings we really listen to one another, we laugh, cry and we have some break through moments. We have a bond, we get out all our emotions, if we want. There is no pressure if one of us doesn’t want to talk. We are in a very safe environment where if we want to share our true feelings we have towards our abuser, there is no judgement or criticism.

Perhaps one day we will find someone who truly loves us for who we are, unconditionally. And to live life without feeling scared, safe and at peace, that is what The Butterfly Collective brings to the table. For anyone out there that just got out or trying or perhaps knows someone who needs help, once that butterfly lands on your shoulder, you will know you made it!!

Thank you to The Butterfly Collective who helped us come out of our cocoon and grow into these beautiful human beings ready to spread our wings!! God Bless to you all! Thank you Lynne for giving me the opportunity to speak!!

My experience with The Butterfly Collective has been nothing short of amazing. They have helped me in so many ways with so much kindness and care. I never experience any judgement from them, only understanding. I’m so thankful for them and the comfort they bring. When life is a struggle and you’re facing some of your hardest battles, it’s so comforting to know that you have support and someone is standing with you. You are not alone.