From Ashes to Wings: A Survivor’s Stand in Salem

Good day, friends—or good evening, depending on when you’re reading this. In the quiet corners of America, where the weight of personal trials meets the strength of human spirit, stories emerge that remind us what courage really looks like. Today, in Salem, Oregon, one such story is unfolding, not with fanfare, but with quiet determination. It’s the tale of Desiree Guerra, a woman who turned her own escape from the shadows of domestic violence and human trafficking into a beacon for others.

When survivors break free from abuse, the road ahead can seem as daunting as the one they left behind. No roof over their heads, no fresh start in sight—just the raw question: What now? Guerra knows that question all too well. Having shared her harrowing journey on Capital Community Television’s “InSight” program and in the pages of the Statesman Journal, she launched Ashes to Wings earlier this year. This grassroots nonprofit isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the basics that restore dignity in a moment of crisis.

The Phoenix Closet, a humble space stocked with donated clothing, toiletries, and everyday essentials for those fleeing violence. What began in a modest donated room has grown wings through community goodwill. Guerra’s bigger vision? A tiny home community in Marion County, offering safe haven for women and children for up to two or three years—a place to heal, not just survive.“

After surviving domestic violence and human trafficking, Desiree Guerra wanted to make it easier for other survivors to rebuild their lives.” — Statesman Journal, Sept. 22, 2025

We’ve seen too many headlines about domestic violence in this country, but in Oregon, the numbers hit close to home. According to the 2023 state advisory report “Breaking the Cycle,” more than one-third of Oregon adults will face it in their lifetime, with at least 18 lives lost each year to intimate partner homicides. Human trafficking weaves into this grim tapestry; since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has fielded reports leading to over 1,400 cases and more than 2,500 potential victims in the state alone.

Here in Marion County, the need is acute. Local shelters like the Center for Hope & Safety have stepped up, but with a growing homeless population—up nearly 500 people from 2023 to 2025 in Marion and Polk counties combined—the demand outstrips supply. Reports show a shortfall of hundreds of beds for families in crisis, many of whom are running from abuse. That’s where Ashes to Wings steps in, offering that first hand up: a clean set of clothes, a pair of shoes, a shred of normalcy. It’s small-scale heroism in a world that often feels overwhelming.

"Healing Empowerment Fight.” — Motto of Ashes to Wings

If you’re moved to help, reach out. Donate items or funds via ashestowingsllc@gmail.com, or check their Facebook page for ways to get involved. In times like these, when the news can weigh heavy, remember: One person’s resolve can spark a chain reaction. Desiree Guerra is proof that from the ashes of hardship, we can rise.