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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.
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?
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
In June, I was given the opportunity to go through the A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) Leadership Training. It was 3 days of getting hands on experience what it would be like to be a participant as well as a leader in facilitating art workshops. AWBW is a non-profit group that uses art as a healing tool for women and children affected by domestic violence. AWBW and its staff is like a warm fuzzy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa on a cold breezy night. The staff are welcoming, supportive, encouraging and always listening to hear the heart of any speaker.
Even though I was coming in as a leader, I was surprised at the depth of emotions that came out both in myself and the other future leaders. As I allowed myself the freedom to just be and enjoy the process, something new always popped up. The art may not have been "beautiful" but it was always reflective of the process of letting go or setting the intention for the future. It just shows that there is always something inside of us that needs a voice so that who we can walk in who we really were created to be.
I came out with more insight to affirm the participant and the process they undergo than to affirm the art. Its not the beautiful art that is truly beautiful but the heart that can express itself without judgement, criticism or negativity. There is healing in our acceptance of whatever emotion we feel.
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.
Please share with others, don't let domestic violence continue.
Learn more about us at www.ARTesiaHealingArts.org
