
The Penny Project
A sanctuary for women — inspired by a dog’s unconditional love, protection, and presence.
Every woman who needs a safe place to land and remember her power.
Here, you are believed and you belong.
Because a 12-pound dog saved my life

The Penny Project began as a love story between a woman and her brave rescue dog — a story of protection, loyalty, and healing amidst the horrors of domestic violence. It’s now growing into a sanctuary of safety, awareness, and hope for women and animals rebuilding their lives — often together.
The Penny Project is a sanctuary of safety and healing — beginning here as a virtual space where women can access support, compassion, and community. Born from the love of a little dog who once stood guard over my life, this project honors both women and animals on their paths to freedom and trust.
Our vision is to one day create a physical space where women and dogs can heal side by side. For now, we’re building that safety virtually — one resource, one connection, one yoga pose, one breath, and one act of empowerment at a time.
Empower — and Be Empowered
Every act of giving or receiving creates ripples of healing.
Whether you’re helping a woman reclaim her safety or asking for support yourself,
you’re part of this circle of empowerment.
Ways to Empower Survivors
Every dollar helps us plant the seeds of safety, trust, and new beginnings — one yoga shape, one breath, one heartbeat, and one act of empowerment at a time
Give once if you feel called or give monthly if you want to walk with us long-term.
Your one-time gift helps women and dogs begin their healing journey. Every contribution supports trauma-informed yoga, survivor scholarships, and resources for safety and empowerment.
Help us sustain The Penny Project’s work year-round. Your monthly donation provides steady support for Guardian Memberships, survivor resources, and the future sanctuary where women and dogs can heal side by side.
Choose how you would like to support below.
Ways to Be Empowered
The Penny Project provides trauma-informed yoga memberships and healing tools for women reclaiming their bodies and voices after abuse.
If you need support, you can request a Guardian Membership — a sponsored yoga membership through our community fund.
If you’re the one who needs help… we see you
Every woman’s path to safety and healing looks different.
These resources are here for you, no matter where you are at in your journey — staying, finding the strength to leave for the first or fiftyth time, leaving, left, or long gone and still healing.
Take what you need. And know, you’re not alone.
💜 FOR STAYING — WHEN HOPE FEELS FAR AWAY
Sometimes there are moments when you can’t see another way out — when the pain feels too heavy or when you believe the horrible (and untrue) things you are being told about yourself.
In those moments, you are not alone. There are people waiting, right now, who will listen, believe you, and help you stay safe.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Dial 988 (free, confidential, 24/7)
NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — 1-800-950-6264 or text “HELPLINE” to 62640
Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained listener any time
You matter. Your story isn’t over. Let someone hold hope for you until you can feel it again.
🏠 FOR LEAVING — WHEN SAFETY MOVES YOU FORWARD
There may come a moment when you know it’s time — when your safety, or your children’s, can’t wait.
You don’t have to do it alone. These resources can help you plan a safe exit and connect with shelter and legal support.
National Domestic Violence Hotline — 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
DomesticShelters.org — a national directory that helps you find verified safe houses, shelters, and supportive services in your area. This directory lists verified programs serving diverse survivor populations, including culturally specific or identity-based survivor resources (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, immigrant, or veteran communities).
YWCA USA Domestic Violence Services — YWCA locations across the country provide emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, and counseling for women and families escaping abuse
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline — 877-863-6338
Local Shelters Near Our Studios in the Illinois Valley
⚖️ Legal Support for Women Leaving Abuse
WomensLaw.org — Free, plain-language legal information and state-by-state help for women experiencing abuse.
Includes sections on divorce, custody, restraining orders, and immigration issues.National Domestic Violence Hotline – Legal Resources Page — Connects callers and chat users with local legal advocates and attorneys who work with survivors.
ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence — Provides a directory of pro bono and low-cost attorneys who specialize in DV, divorce, and family law.
Legal Aid Network / Legal Services Corporation (LSC) — Federally funded legal aid offices offering free or low-cost help for qualifying individuals in every U.S. state.
Illinois Legal Aid Online — Step-by-step guides, forms, and free legal help for Illinois residents facing domestic violence, divorce, or custody challenges.
You deserve to be safe. Help and home are ready when you are.
🌿 FOR HEALING — WHEN YOU’RE READY TO RECLAIM
Healing takes time — and gentleness.
These tools and communities are here to support your body, your breath, and your spirit as you reclaim your power.
Katrina Marie Yoga Membership — trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, and nervous-system tools for survivors
Through our Guardian Scholarship program, women rebuilding after abuse can receive free accessRequest a Guardian Membership confidentially here.
Yoga Tools for Healing — Explore trauma-conscious mudra, meditation, and gentle movement practices.
Therapy Resources + Directories
Psychology Today “Trauma & PTSD” Directory — Search for licensed therapists by location, many specializing in trauma and abuse recovery.
TherapistAid.com — Free, trauma-informed worksheets and tools to use between sessions or while waiting for therapy access.
The National Center for PTSD — Educational and therapeutic tools for trauma recovery and finding trauma-specialized clinicians.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — Free, confidential 24/7 hotline and chat for survivors of sexual violence, plus trauma-informed counseling links — 800-656-4673
Healing doesn’t happen in one moment — it happens in community.
Wherever you are, remember: you are always whole and always healing.
🐾 FOR COMPANIONSHIP — WHEN LOVE HAS FOUR PAWS
There’s a special kind of healing that happens through the unconditional love of an animal.
Many women rebuilding their lives after abuse find emotional support, purpose, and safety through rescuing or caring for a dog.
When a woman rescues a dog, the dog often rescues her right back.
Find a Companion
Local Shelters Near Our Studios in the Illinois Valley
The Penny Project is working toward a program that helps women and rescue dogs find each other — pairing survivors with emotional support animals and covering adoption fees whenever possible.
Because healing happens on both ends of the leash.
📞 SAFETY REMINDER
You Are Not Alone. Support Is Available 24/7.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Dial 988 (free, confidential, 24/7)
Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
Remember — You are always whole and always healing.
Have questions about empowering or being empowered?
Reach out to Katrina using the contact form below