In her darkest days, the wrath of her child’s abusive father rained down on her.

Their relationship was volatile, with a latent threat always hanging in the air.

“There must be some way,” she kept telling herself, “some way to escape this torment and secure a safer environment for me and my son.”

“People make mistakes,” she told herself. “I made mistakes … but people can overcome them.”

Her name is Ashley, and she did scramble back after getting the critical help she needed to begin a new life, bright with promise.

Ashley found answers through a supportive network of professionals, led by Auburn Youth Resources – a nonprofit organization that has successfully impacted the lives of troubled youth in the area for nearly 40 years.

In that time span, AYR has grown into a fully accredited, regional mental health, substance abuse and child residential center, serving and treating hundreds of youths and families in King and Pierce Counties.

Lives like Ashley’s.

Next Friday, Ashley takes center stage at AYR’s annual benefit breakfast to share her story of despair and recovery.

For the single, 17-year-old mother, life has meant overcoming personal and family grief. Her problems began close to home, with a mother who set no boundaries, allowing her daughter to wander into a trap of alcohol and drugs.

She became pregnant and dropped out of school.

Her child’s unsupportive father only compounded her miseries.

Placed in foster care, Ashley slowly found help, surrounding herself with counselors, therapists and dependable friends.

It took considerable work, but professionals like Abby White, an AYR mental health therapist, helped Ashley find her way.

“And she became motivated (to change),” White said.

Ashley received drug and alcohol treatment and counseling and picked up valuable parenting skills. Gradually, she put her life together.

“It was very hard, but Abby helped me a lot through all of this,” Ashley said. “They helped me get a relationship with my dad and my stepmom. I realized they could be a part of my life.”

Ashley found happiness and a good home with her foster parents. Her son is doing well, too, living with Ashley’s father-in-law. She often sees her boy when she finishes the day’s studies at Auburn Mountainview High School.

She has plans. She hopes to become a veterinary assistant one day.

“I love animals. It’s been my dream my whole life,” she said.

For now, Ashley is taking the steps to become fully independent. And she’s willing to work hard to get there.

In turn, Ashley is helping others who are suffering like she was. She has volunteered to mentor at-risk youth through an AYR-sponsored school group.

Her message is clear and direct.

“Don’t get pregnant while you’re in school. Finish school. Keep your life on track,” she said. “Be open about you feel.”

Ashley has emerged as a success story.

“It’s an illustration of how AYR is embedded with the community in trying to work with very vulnerable youth,” said Jim Blanchard, AYR executive director. “We have many partners who help. … We’re really committed to the community in being a part of that.”

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Benefit breakfast

• Event: 21st annual Auburn Youth Resources and Enumclaw Youth & Family Services Valentine Breakfast, the organizations’ largest annual fundraising event.

• When, where: 7 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10, Grace Community Church, 1320 Auburn Way S.

• Program includes: Agency report; speakers; remarks from Auburn School District Superintendent Dr. Kip Herren; performances by the Sumner High School choir.

• Admission: Free. Call to reserve your seat at 253-351-6059.

• Information: www.ayr4kids.org.