Shelby Township Woman Turns to Activism After Tragedy

A Shelby Township woman took to activism after tragedy.

Valentina Djelaj decided to speak out against domestic violence after her father killed her mother and then turned the gun on himself several years ago.

“I wasn’t sure how to grieve because it was unprecedented for me,” Valentina said last year. "I was going to sit in the corner and cry but I said to myself, 'I am too upset about this now, and I’m going to do something.' I was further empowered. 'I will do research and devote my career about this and prove you.'"

She is also a full-time volunteer at Turning Point, which provides programs and resources that enable victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence to regain control of their lives.

Djelaj is one of many people making a difference in Shelby Township and Utica. Read more about those people here, and leave a comment below to tell us about other people are making a difference every day.