Ventura County

How AWBW expressive art workshops helped this teen

Mutilated teen tennis shoe

This was an A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) art workshop "Take a Walk in My Shoes".  This yellow tennis shoe came from a young teen crying out for help- she mutilated her self and yet no one seemed to notice or care about her pain. No one heard her screams, no one noticed the injuries.  She found a voice in this piece telling what she experienced at the hands of her father.  She said "NO!" but it still continued.  Will anyone step in to help her?  She was calling out loudly. . .  Thank God, Michele Foster heard and spent time loving her acknowledging the pain and trying to help her choose a different path away from a painful parent.  Through the expressive art workshops this teen stopped mutilating herself and found ways to safely deal with the pain and to trust again.  She also was able to move out and not live under the roof of an abusive father.  There are others out there not knowing if there is hope or that they are worth being loved, they cry out but who hears?

Our goal this year is to get into high schools and let them know we care.  

We want teens who are beginning dating to recognize signals of an abusive dating relationship.  We want to present our public service announcements and make them aware that abusive relationships do NOT improve on their own. They have power to change. But where will these teens go? Can you help us?  Will you reach out and love these teens who need someone to say they are special and abuse is wrong?  Will you help us sponsor a speaking engagement at a local school?  Or do you know of a high school or middle school that needs to address this issue?

Contact us at ARTesiaHealingArts.org

Domestic Violence is everyone's business!

 

Urbane Cafe Fundraiser

Come meet our team from Artesia Healing arts and become an "Angel Sponsor" at a shelter in need here in Ventura County. Our goal is also to provide domestic violence awareness and prevention at the local high schools to raise awareness of what signs to look for in an abusive relationship, so teens will develop healthy and safe relationships.  We want to put an end to domestic violence in our community, help us make a difference one life at a time.

You can help in many ways: Join us at Urbane Cafe in Camarillo, 1855 Daily Drive.  Come order a meal between 4:00 and 9:00 pm and 20% of proceeds go to our program, order gift certificates, join our team of volunteers to intern or help organize supplies for our program, and get your photo by our Angel Wings. Event will include a simple art activity for a donation.

Some of our Angel Team: Tatiana, Michele F., Sylvia, and Mitra.  Others include myself Michelle H., Kim P., Irma B. and Lorrie M.

Some of our Angel Team: Tatiana, Michele F., Sylvia, and Mitra.  Others include myself Michelle H., Kim P., Irma B. and Lorrie M.


Bring this flyer to the event

in Camarillo on September 22.  Interested in  ordering gift certificates? (Minimum $25) call Michelle H at 805 443-1555.


Powerful Messages for TV and sharing our cause

When Stew Birbrower, filmmaker and former Madison Avenue commercial creator, first explained this public service announcement (PSA) I jumped out of my seat as he pounded the table to demonstrate some of the effects he was planning to use.  He was delighted at my response.  Laughing, he remarked how people need to be impacted by the seriousness of domestic violence. It is an injustice that society needs to address, and we can no longer turn and ignore it.  Stew first drew out some vignettes and in time they came to be what you see in this video.  It proves that one man can make a difference.

we believe domestic violence is everyone's business

Please share with others, don't let domestic violence continue.

Learn more about us at www.ARTesiaHealingArts.org