Adults

Jewish Family Services
California
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
I am a residential counselor at Jewish Family Service, a domestic violence shelter for women and children. Oftentimes, residents arrive at the shelter feeling hopeless and helpless, believing there’s nothing good in their lives. I chose to facilitate the Lette…
Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
California
  • Substance Abuse Recovery
  • Mental Health
  • Substance Abuse Recovery
I work at a dual diagnosis substance use treatment center and mental health services outpatient facility with adults. Many of our patients are court mandated to treatment and have been previously incarcerated. Most patients have mental health diagnoses along w…
Trauma and Healing in Color
California
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
This “Uplifting Voices: Facilitator Stories” video features La Shonda Coleman, LCSW, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Pepperdine University and Founder of Trauma and Healing in Colour, a program that fuses art, somatic based healing modalities, …
Children's Institute
CA
  • Community Violence
  • Community Engagement
  • Community Violence
  • Grief & Loss
  The REACH Team supports children and families exposed to violence in South Los Angeles. We host workshops and support groups educating on the effects of being exposed to violence, how to cope with trauma, and promoting wellness to help build resilien…
United American Indian Involvement (UAII)
California
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
In this "Uplifting Voices: Facilitator Stories" video, Nikki Crow, a Prevention and Aftercare Care Coordinator at United American Indian Involvement (UAII), shares how the AWBW art workshop "Journey Footprints" honors our resilience and helped one of her parti…
Jewish Family Service
California
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Immigration
This client is a single mother of two children. She is from Mexico, came to this country seven years ago, and is undocumented. She experienced verbal, physical, and emotional abuse with her boyfriend of two years.   She is a hard-working woman who, regardle…
Just Detention International & SC Department of Corrections
South Carolina
  • Incarceration
  • Incarceration
  • Sexual Assault
  • Social Justice
In 2020, AWBW founder Cathy Salser and our program partner Just Detention International (JDI) began a collaboration with incarcerated women and staff at two prisons in South Carolina on a project called #PrisonersToo — using art as a way to address the sexual …
PAVE - People Against A Violent Environment
Wisconsin
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Domestic Violence
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
Since it was snowing outside at the time, the group thought it would be neat to do this as a "snowflakes of thanks" activity. So we adapted on the spot and changed out supplies to do snowflakes. We all had fun with it and the kids were really excited to get…
Sacramento Children’s Home
California
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Foster Care
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Staff & Organizational Development
The Team Agreements workshop was conducted for the department staff, aimed at strengthening team communication. The department's leadership chose this workshop to enable the team to collaboratively create agreements that would support one another. The staff …
Swain Recovery Center
North Carolina
  • Substance Abuse Recovery
  • Substance Abuse Recovery
Lauren is an AWBW facilitator at Swain Recovery Center, a residential treatment program for substance use and mental health. “Art has been a very helpful tool in building relationships between myself and clients, clients and other staff members, and the client…
PFLAG San Gabriel Valley / API Chapter
California
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Community Engagement
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Immigration
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Mental Health
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Social Justice
This “Innovator Spotlight” video features Stacia Kato,  president of the PFLAG San Gabriel Valley Asian Pacific Islander chapter which has supported parents, individuals, and allies at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Asian for the past ten years; building upon …
Safe Passage
MA
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Homelessness
  • Immigration
  • Mental Health
I recently facilitated the "Mask of Survival" art workshop for a group of caregivers at Safe Passage, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence.  We had five wonderful participants, all of whom shared some common life experiences: they were …
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
This modified story tree workshop using a floral format allowed participants (survivors of domestic violence at Shepherd’s Door) to access vulnerability while staying grounded in creativity. Participants connected deeply to the symbolism of the flower bloom…
South Gate Police Dept. Family Violence Prevention & Education Program
California
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
I have been working with a 45-year old Latina woman, who has one 11-year old child. In 2012, this client was pleased to announce to our support group that she had finally started the divorce process that she had contemplated for many years. Seven months later,…
Indigenous Strategies for HONOR Collective
Arizona
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Staff & Organizational Development
In this video, Melodie Lopez shares how art serves as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and cultural resilience. Through creative workshops, she helps individuals and communities navigate trauma, express their experiences, and build stronger connections…
Safe Passage, Inc.
Indiana
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sexual Assault
This workshop had two participants, both in their mid-fifties. Both ladies are starting completely over after having survived domestic violence and sexual assault. One has just moved into her own housing and the other will be moving into her own apartment by t…
RUTH Facilitation
California
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Facilitator Spotlights
  • Mental Health
  • Staff & Organizational Development
This “Wellness in the Workplace” facilitator story is about how art workshops can thrive in unexpected places. AWBW facilitator Andy shares his experience of bringing art workshops into a high-pressure, analytical workplace. Beginning with small team sessions …
Wichita Artworx, Inc.
Kansas
  • Mental Health
  • Community Engagement
  • Domestic Violence
  • Mental Health
  • Physical & Terminal Illness
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
My Permission Canvas represents “Permission to Succeed.” I started having hearing trouble when I was a teen, and I was always made fun of because of it. I was “the deaf girl.” I went totally deaf about 8 years ago and it was devastating. Fortunately, I was …
Fresno Pacific University
California
  • Schools & Universities
  • Schools & Universities
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
Participants of this workshop were university students exploring personal growth. The goals of the workshop were to explore negative messages from their childhood and become aware of what negative messages are still with them they need to let go of. Student…
A Window Between Worlds
California
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Mental Health
  • Self-Care & Personal Growth
  • Staff & Organizational Development
Join Kat, Training and Outreach Coordinator, as she shares about facilitating the "Take a Break, Self Regulate!" art workshop at AWBW's two-day facilitator training. The activity invites participants to reflect on taking breaks and create personalized dice to …
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
I facilitated the Vision Flowers art workshop for a group of community members looking to reconnect with their inner voice and reflect on the personal values guiding their lives. Inspired by Manuela Rojas’ Personal Needs Flower, this workshop invited…
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
I facilitated the Brick Wall workshop for survivors of domestic violence at Shepherd’s Door. All seven women engaged fully and authentically in the workshop, each creating a unique interpretation of their brick wall symbolizing the things that protec…
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
This modified story tree workshop using a floral format allowed participants (survivors of domestic violence at Shepherd’s Door) to access vulnerability while staying grounded in creativity. Participants connected deeply to the symbolism of the fl…
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center
California
At Shepherd’s Door—a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence—a group of women gathered just before Mother’s Day to participate in a guided art experience centered around affirmations, identity, and healing. For many, this was more than a worksh…
The Adult Skills Center
California
The Adult Skills Center
California
I facilitated the Riding the Grief Coaster art workshop for a group of three adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, aged 35 to 38. All three participants shared a common experience: the loss of a parent. I chose this workshop to …
Los Angeles Unified School District
California
Los Angeles Unified School District
California
I facilitated a parenting workshop that invited participants to reflect on the qualities they believe make a good parent. Many of the parents in the group have experienced significant challenges—ranging from financial stress to past trauma—and are ac…
Women’s & Children’s Crisis Shelter
California
Women’s & Children’s Crisis Shelter
California
I work at a domestic violence shelter that provides safety and support for victims fleeing abusive intimate partner relationships. Currently, we are housing three families with children ranging in age from 1 to 8 years old. Every year, we participate…
The AMAAD Institute
California
The AMAAD Institute
California
I work for an organization that provides services with a focus among LGBTQ+ people of color. The participants in this workshop were part of a re-entry population, looking to gain facilitating skills as part of their personal and professional developm…
Riverside County District Attorney's Office
California
Riverside County District Attorney's Office
California
Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold metals, is a powerful metaphor for life and personal growth. The fragments of broken pottery symbolize the challenges and trauma in our life journey. We acknowledge that our scars do not diminis…
Los Angeles Unified School District
California
Los Angeles Unified School District
California
I was invited to do a parent workshop at Cardenas Elementary School. We chose the Journey Footprints workshop and translated it into Spanish. The footprint seemed timely for the close of the workshop series. The parents created wonderful art, but whe…
Jewish Family Services
California
Jewish Family Services
California
I am a residential counselor at Jewish Family Service, a domestic violence shelter for women and children. Oftentimes, residents arrive at the shelter feeling hopeless and helpless, believing there’s nothing good in their lives. I chose to facilitate…
Los Angeles Unified School District
California
Los Angeles Unified School District
California
I am a Psychiatric Social Worker for two elementary schools, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children from Pre-K through 5th grade. My role also extends to the adults on campus—teachers, administrators, and support staff.  The teache…
A Window Between Worlds
California
A Window Between Worlds
California
Join Kat, Training and Outreach Coordinator, as she shares about facilitating the "Take a Break, Self Regulate!" art workshop at AWBW's two-day facilitator training. The activity invites participants to reflect on taking breaks and create personalize…
Indigenous Strategies for HONOR Collective
Arizona
Indigenous Strategies for HONOR Collective
Arizona
In this video, Melodie Lopez shares how art serves as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and cultural resilience. Through creative workshops, she helps individuals and communities navigate trauma, express their experiences, and build stronger c…
Lavender Healing Collective
California
Lavender Healing Collective
California
Tiombe Wallace shares the powerful ways art fosters self and community care, particularly for Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color survivors, advocates, and hotline workers. Through AWBW’s creative workshops, staff and interns find …
A Window Between Worlds
California
A Window Between Worlds
California
I have facilitated the My Traveling Story workshop many times, but one experience truly stands out. I worked for years with a woman who survived domestic violence. Violence from her partner that tragically took the lives of her unborn twin babies. At…
Oregon State University-Cascades
Oregon
Oregon State University-Cascades
Oregon
I facilitated Touchstone Journey for Resident Assistants (RAs) who were navigating the aftermath of a significant conflict within their residence hall and team. This group of students came from a variety of backgrounds but shared the challenge of pro…
Oregon State University-Cascades
Oregon
Oregon State University-Cascades
Oregon
I led an art workshop for a group of graduate program physical therapy students with diverse life experiences. These students often work in high-stress environments, serving a variety of populations, while also balancing the demands of academics and …
Juntos/Lennox School District
California
Juntos/Lennox School District
California
This Wellness in the Workplace video features AWBW facilitator and social worker Emily Cummins Polk, who founded Juntos, a nonprofit bringing trauma-informed wellness to the Lennox School District. Over a decade, art has evolved from a simple tool to…

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