abuse

Art helps a young girl regain her voice

Young mute girl speaks

Domestic violence penetrated into this young child's life and caused her to withdrawal into silence.  After several sessions building trust with Michele Foster working one on one she began to share.  From there words poured forth and this young life has been transformed. You would never know that months ago this giggling happy girl was sullen and shut down, choosing to live a selective mute life.

 Your gifts help us reach traumatized families and help them experience love and hope.

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!