Domestic Violence

Shelter from the Storm
California
This family relocated from their home due to severe domestic violence, and they were all having trouble with the transition. Mom and her three children had been…
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 h…
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 flower bloom…
Teta's Workshops
Massachusetts
This story is from a workshop with survivors of violence who are isolated from family and friends during this pandemic. I chose this workshop to teach the art of journaling and its use as a meditative practice. One participant shared “I wasn't very eager to…
Su Casa
California
At our emergency shelter, we support women and children who are actively fleeing domestic violence and seeking temporary refuge while they decide on their next transition whether it be their own apartment, moving out of state, connecting with family support, o…
Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
Wisconsin
I created an activity called Reclaiming Your Voice Sunbeams, as a durational art activity for my Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault support group. With this project I invite survivor support group attendees to identify words and phrases they never got to say,…
Women’s & Children’s Crisis Shelter
California
I organized a collage activity for the mothers currently residing at our shelter, inviting them to create visual representations of their hopes and dreams for the future. Each of them has faced the challenges of experiencing intimate partner violence, and I wa…
Sure Helpline Center
California
This “Vision Seeds” video features Johana Ramirez, of Sure Helpline Center in El Centro, California. A Windows Facilitator since 2024, Johana reflects on her own journey of using art to anchor herself in the midst of trauma and chaos, and how today, she is hon…
Tides of Change
Oregon
These photos are of art that a survivor created during the workshop Befriending Your Feelings. This woman, in her fifties, has complex trauma beginning in early childhood and continuing into adulthood. She has shared experiences of neglect and child abuse whil…
South Gate Police Dept. Family Violence Prevention & Education Program
California
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,…
Su Casa
California
I work at an emergency shelter serving survivors of domestic violence and their children who are actively fleeing their person of harm and seeking refuge in a safe space. This particular workshop was conducted with a mother and her teenage son. Upon complet…
YWCA - San Gabriel Valley
California
Ceirra and Melissa are AWBW facilitators who work in the WINGS (Women in Need Growing Strong) Domestic Violence Program at YWCA San Gabriel Valley. They provide educational support groups in both emergency and transitional shelter settings, as well as through …
Catalyst
California
Leading the workshop "Inspiration Rocks!" to introduce A Window Between Worlds to the group at the domestic violence shelter where I work just made sense. Survivors in shelter have done rock painting for far longer than my tenure at the agency. Those who jo…
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 protect and give…
YWCA - San Gabriel Valley
California
During one of my very first support group sessions, the "Center of My Universe" project was presented. I vividly remember how powerful it felt to trust my instincts and select the images I was drawn to. At the time I was so preoccupied with trying to get throu…
Northwest Arkansas Women's Shelter
Arkansas
This six-year-old girl loves to write and will often use some of her time in art class to write in her notebooks that she brings. Today I provided printouts of the tools we use in our DV group. I also printed a wheel that the client could use to create a wh…
Safe Passage
MA
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 …
Desert Sanctuary Inc/Haley House
California
A lady came in for group who was very stoic at first. When I gave directions and asked if she had any questions she didn't, she was very quiet. I played music and shared about the art and what it did for me and she began to open up when she described her ar…
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 in the Sh…
Sojourn, Ocean Park Community Center
California
I’m pretty sure you’re the wonderful people who supply the healing arts workshops for the survivors of domestic violence at Sojourn. I simply had to reach out personally to say how grateful I am that you’ve done this. I would NEVER have considered doing som…
Safe Passage, Inc.
Indiana
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…
Chicana Service Action Center
California
For many years I experienced both physical and verbal abuse by my husband, the father of my children. It was something I always hid. I felt that I was the only one who was wrong. My abuse was something that I lived every day and I was completely blind. I took …
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
Values Ornaments was a workshop centered on reconnecting with the qualities that guide, ground, and inspire us, especially as we move into a new year. Together, our community explored how personal values shape our choices, our relationships, and our …
YWCA Glendale and Pasadena
California
YWCA Glendale and Pasadena
California
As part of our prevention work at YWCA Glendale and Pasadena, we provide afterschool programs for girls in grades 5–9 across Los Angeles County. Our curriculum includes a variety of enrichment activities designed to empower youth, build confidence, a…
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
Our Healing Hands was a workshop centered on celebrating our sense of touch and bringing awareness to all the creative and connective ways we use our hands. The session incorporated the Japanese healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, which aligns each finge…
Arts Connection
California
Arts Connection
California
I worked with my mother who is 62 years old on the Heart Stories workshop activity. She wanted to participate in this activity because as a retired nurse she enjoys participating in workshops that highlight mental health awareness.  With this work…
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
The Artistry Circle
North Carolina
Window to My Soul was a workshop centered on self-reflection through the lens of language, community, and creativity. In the days leading up to the event, participants were encouraged to engage in a gentle self-inquiry: bringing one word that best…
Being the Best Me and A Window Between Worlds
California
Being the Best Me and A Window Between Worlds
California
Teresa Smith of Being the Best Me and Cathy Salser of AWBW share the origins of the Butterfly Journey Wheel and invite others to create their own resource for transformation and support.  They created the Butterfly Journey Wheel together as a way …
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…
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…
Safe Passage
Massachusetts
Safe Passage
Massachusetts
I facilitated the Personal Needs Flowers art workshop for a group of caregivers who are survivors of domestic violence. This art activity was chosen to create a space where the participants could focus on self-care while honoring and prioritizing the…
Para Los Ninos
California
Para Los Ninos
California
As the School Support Services Coordinator at Para Los Niños, one of my key roles is to train and supervise master’s-level social work trainees.  A focus of this training is equipping them to support our students’ social-emotional learning. Our stude…
Sacramento Children's Home
California
Sacramento Children's Home
California
AWBW art Facilitator, Liz Miller Oliver, is the Training Specialist at Sacramento Children’s Home. The Organization provides crisis support for families residential care for foster youth who have suffered trauma and services for that focus on child a…
Downtown Women's Center
California
Downtown Women's Center
California
While providing parents in a Southern California school district with parenting workshops, we are closing out the series with healing arts through AWBW. The goal is to aid their own creative approaches in leading healing arts with their children and …
Black Infant Health
California
Black Infant Health
California
The California Black Infant Health (BIH) Program's aim is to improve health among Black mothers and babies by empowering pregnant and mothering Black women to make healthy choices for a brighter future. BIH focuses exclusively on empowering Black/Afr…
Marlborough School
California
Marlborough School
California
  Hi Everyone! I’m Sonia. I’m a high school student and I'm a summer intern at A Window Between Worlds. This summer, I am exploring my own durational art journey as well as designing a durational art action for my high school. I have ch…
Sarah King Creates LLC
Florida
Sarah King Creates LLC
Florida
As a Healing Art Practitioner and former multi-hat-wearing nonprofit leader, I am honored to host monthly virtual gatherings where I guide those who serve others in their work and life responsibilities through a healing arts membership program I call…
Blossoms Windows
CA
Blossoms Windows
CA
  “Love Is A Great Idea” was inspired/created during the 2023 Spring Facilitators Training. During the Claiming Who I Am workshop, I was reminded of a tattoo I have behind my left ear, which was inspired by some good times with the best of fr…
A New Leaf
Arizona
A New Leaf
Arizona
Throughout my journey with AWBW, I have grown spiritually and emotionally. I have been through my own traumas from Domestic Violence and have had many life-changing situations thrown in my path. These life lessons have helped me connect with the surv…
A Greater Hope
California
A Greater Hope
California
This was my own personal journey on Thanksgiving Day. When I first was introduced to Nikki Crow's project, Fix Your Side of the Feather, during the AWBW Durational Art Symposium I was moved to tears. I can remember my maternal grandmother, who was th…
WomenShelter of Long Beach
California
WomenShelter of Long Beach
California
This participant, a 16-year-old female who I have met for one-on-one sessions, always had difficulty discussing the violence she witnessed at home. After a few sessions, I wanted a project that would allow her to focus on herself. I have seen times w…