Summerlin-area woman’s experience with family sexual abuse inspires nonprofit Angel’s Power

Lori Power is guided by signs. They could be as simple as an overheard conversation on a topic of interest that pulls her in an unexplored direction, or she could open one of her college books to a section that pertains to what exactly she needs.

But there was one sign she missed years ago. It’s affected her life ever since.

Her new husband was molesting her daughter, Danielle. The little girl told a friend. The friend’s father was with the Metropolitan Police Department. The courts coudn’t determine if Power knew about the situation. She lost custody of her daughter.

Power, who now lives east of Summerlin, can remember it like it was yesterday. Her daughter was 7 at the time.

“I found out about (the abuse) because I got a call from a detective,” Power said, taking a deep breath and looking down to compose herself. After court proceedings, she added, “I couldn’t see her for three years. So, it’s not only a horrible situation; it’s split up our family.”

When Danielle was 12, Power was able to regain custody.

“My daughter kept saying, ‘I want to write a book about it,’ and then she’d say, ‘I want to go on Oprah,’ ” Power said. “In 2013, I propose the idea of a shelter. And my daughter said, ‘Like we needed when this happened to us.’ ”

Power established the organization Angel’s Power. The name was chosen by her daughter, now 19 and a student at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.The goal is to offer emergency shelter to mothers and their children who fall victim to predators.

Power already has helped one woman — who chose to go by the name Chelsea — by securing housing for the mother and her two young daughters.

Chelsea recalled the moment she realized her husband was abusing their child. She was leaving for work but forgot something and returned to witness it.

What does it mean to have an organization such as Angel’s Power there for her?

“It’s absolutely been a godsend,” Chelsea said. “I tell everybody I know that if I didn’t have Lori, I don’t know what I would have done. I had no place to go. I thank God every day. Within two minutes of me approaching her and telling her the situation, she was like, ‘You’re leaving there. I’ll help you (find) a place.’ That was it, no questions. … Suddenly, I was not doing this alone anymore. Somebody had my back and understood. I felt incredibly lucky and blessed.”

Power is now going for her degree in psychology so that she can help other families. Even her courses contain signs.

“It seems every course I was taking gave me all the information I need to get this going and help it grow,” she said. “… It’s like somebody put me on a path that I needed to go.”

Power said she expects to have a shelter within a year to temporarily house those in crisis. Whether it will be separate apartments or more of a dormitory-type facility, she doesn’t know yet. Like everything else in setting up the nonprofit, she expects the signs will come to her when the time is right.

Her ultimate goal is to have a shelter in every state. Right now, she tells victims to go to Safe Nest or to the Shade Tree, but they are focused on domestic violence, and the focus of Angel’s Power is family sexual abuse.

“This is been swept under the rug for so many years that I feel a lot that has to do with (violence in today’s society) is because the children never got any help,” she said. “They were told, ‘It never happened,’ or, ‘Don’t tell anyone. This has to stay within the family.’ And now society is the way it is.”

Power’s ex-husband got 20 years to life and has 11 years to go before he is eligible for parole.

“We will be there (when he goes before the parole board),” she said. “There is no reforming them. This is like a disease. You can get counseling and refrain, but I think there should be a special place for them. You don’t just wake up one day and say, ‘I’m going to molest my child.’ ”

Power is now applying for grants and hopes to be able to afford her first full shelter in Las Vegas within the year.

“I’m paying for everything out of pocket right now,” she said. “We need to have shelter for people and for their pets. Pets, that’s a big thing for a family because pets are big part of the family.”

When she finishes her studies, she said she will be able to counsel the women and children she helps.

She received her nonprofit designation in late January — another sign, she said, pointing to the success of her and Danielle’s mission.

A yard sale to help fund Angel’s Power is set from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30 and May 1 at 600 Palmhurst Drive. Those interested in donating gently used items can call 702-233-8221 or 702-245-6306.

Visit angelspower62.wix.com/angelspowerltd. Victims or those wishing to report an incident can contact the Child Sexual Abuse Hotline at 866-551-6893.

To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.