Abused by a partner as a young woman which left her ashamed and in a state of self-blame and even once attempting self-harm, Michelle Nicholas knew she had to do something to assist other women in similar situations.
With that in mind she formed Sexual Assault and Family Education (SAFE), Guyana Inc, which focuses on providing support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and also to individuals struggling with mental health issues.
“The trauma of such an experience [the domestic violence] led to several life-changing decisions, which at the time I was not able to speak on. From the feeling of shame, to a single self-harm attempt, to the feeling of self-blame. I had to find me, Michelle, and my purpose,” she told the Sunday Stabroek in a recent interview.
Through SAFE, Nicholas said, she wants to help others so that their journey can become easier.
“And with everyone helped, I feel satisfied that they are on their purposeful journey,” she added.
So far, the organisation has been able to help some 250 persons, according to the founder and she stressed that confidentiality is very important.
Going into details about the organisation, the US-based Guyanese said that they work wherever the need arises and provide counselling to individuals who just need someone to talk to but most importantly they also provide safe spaces for victims of domestic/intimate partner violence through collaboration with partnering organisations. At times they are also present for victims of sexual assault.
Nicholas stressed that victims of abuse need everyone’s support and not their judgement.
“[There] are so many opportunities to support them beyond monetary contributions. A simple listening ear, or offering a safe space, or even being an upstander can help. Trust me,” she said.
Speaking directly to victims, she said she wanted them to know that there is a better life waiting for them. “You do not have to put up with being abused. You are worth so much more. There are individuals who are ready and willing to help you get out,” she advised.
Talking about growing in Guyana, Nicholas said she is from the mining town of Linden where she has lifelong friends.
“We had challenging times as funds were low and certain cultural beliefs were, in my view, limited. But I loved the sense of community and still do today. I can still go to Linden and feel like I never left. People still gather, laugh and remember stories, and this is heartwarming to me. They still remember my parents, siblings and the shy-faced girl who always hid behind her mother,” she said of the town she once called home.
Nicholas is the last of four children and she said her parents did their best to provide them with the education and knowledge that they needed. She attended that Mount Carmel Nursery, Christiansburg Primary School, Linden Multilateral Secondary and St Stanislaus College before going onto the University of Guyana.
“I am so grateful to all of my teachers who supported me, even when I was not listening,” the mother of one said.
She has been living in the US for almost two decades where she enjoys telling stories about her childhood. “I love to share because I am happy to have the stories to share, in hopes that it will help guide the younger generation,” she added. And her only child, 13-year-old Michael, who she said is the apple of her eye, finds the stories so interesting that they now have weekly story-telling time when she talks about growing up in Guyana.
But moving to the US was not easy as Nicholas revealed that there were challenges because everything was new and, in some respects, she was not ready to move to a new country.
“But I am the daughter of a steel bender and community activist, so there was a time to feel sad and then there was the time to get up and get going. I experienced them all and happily share with individuals here and back home about my earlier days. It’s important that folks know the truth. My mother always says, ‘cum see mi an cum live with mi a two different thing’,” she noted.
She now visits her homeland at least twice a year and is involved in a few local projects.
Nicholas said she believes she is who she is today because of all of her life experiences.
“I’ve had failures and successes, but I am beyond grateful to my son, parents, siblings, families and some really die-hard friends and supporters who never gave up on me,” she said.
And apart from SAFE, Nicholas is also the Executive Director of Girls Inc Westchester, a nonprofit organization that encourages all girls to be “Strong, Smart, and Bold” through direct service and advocacy. She disclosed that Girls Inc teaches healthy living, so girls are able to make informed decisions, resist peer pressure, avoid risky behaviours, and take charge of their health.
And there is more, as she is also the founder and CEO of The Nico Consulting, Inc (TNC), a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategy operations, marketing and communications, personal branding and leadership development. With offices in Guyana and New York, TNC works with a variety of clients including government, corporation, nonprofits and individuals to create sustainable partnerships.
Recently Nicholas co-created a new award to honour 25 Influential Women Leaders annually in Guyana, who have made an impact in their companies and communities. The award is designed to recognize women from a variety of sectors, rather than in a single industry, making the award unique and important milestone for national and regional women leaders.
According to her official biodata, Nicholas has been recognised as one of the Business Council of Westchester’s Rising Stars and The Network Journal’s “40underForty”. She is said to be continuing to bridge the gap between available resources and those who need them and has also been recognised with the Humanitarian Award by the Women of Mission International organisation for her work with Guyana’s vulnerable population.
Nicholas has chaired and serves on several boards including MATPAL Maritime Institute, Westchester Suicide Prevention and Awareness Task Force, Association of Development Officers and Rotary Club of Wall Street. Apart from being a graduate of the University of Guyana, she is also graduated from the Volunteer NewYork’s Leadership Westchester, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Citizens’ Academy and Mount Vernon Citizens’ Police Academy.
Anyone interested in contacting SAFE can do so through safeguyanasa@gmail.com or mnicholas@thenicoconsulting.com or on Facebook at Sexual Assault and Family Education.
