Domestic Violence

YWCA Pierce County
Washington
I worked with a group of children ranging from age four to twelve. While their parents are in a domestic violence support group, we do AWBW workshops. The child…
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…
Healing Through Art
California
This artwork was from women survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The art was expressions of places in their heart that gave them peace. The art of the woman with teardrops was her pain from loving and not receiving love back. As the women bega…
Su Casa
California
Through my work at a domestic violence emergency shelter, I had the pleasure of incorporating the AWBW framework via monthly Art of Healing workshops with participants who were actively fleeing the person who caused them harm. One of the workshops that I condu…
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 …
Desert Sanctuary, Inc.
California
Participating in the AWBW training had a big impact on me personally because I was a participant in AWBW as a domestic violence client at Desert Sanctuary. I’ve grown from these art groups and they have been a huge part of my healing and finding my worth. Now …
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 …
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Alaska
A 7-year-old boy had witnessed a lot of domestic violence and traumatic events in a short period of time. When he came to the shelter with his mom and family, he was extremely impacted by these events and had many behavioral issues. He acted out constantly — a…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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,…
Huntington Park Police Department
California
One eight year old girl I work with in the after school program, Stephanie, was so closed off that she refused to speak and never smiled. She always followed others and would constantly defer to her sister. Whenever we asked her to express herself she would lo…
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…
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…
Marjaree Mason Center
California
Being a teen is hard enough to go through. This 15-year-old-girl and her family were here because of domestic violence. The oldest of the children in her family, she did not want to do Pass the Painting. She said, "My teacher said that I don't know how to p…
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…
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…
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 …
Arts Connection
California
Arts Connection
California
For this workshop I had my partner do the “Cup of Gratitude” activity. I chose this activity for my partner because he typically works in a stressful environment at work and I wanted to bring a sense of calmness to his mind and space by doing this wo…
Yoga & Art for Recovery and Healing
California
Yoga & Art for Recovery and Healing
California
It had been a long time since my girlfriends and I had all been able to gather together. We are each in different seasons of life, with some raising kids, some caring for pets, and all of us, including me, balancing busy schedules and responsibilitie…
Families Together of Orange County
California
Families Together of Orange County
California
This quarter, I wanted to facilitate a workshop for my local women’s group, Ladies Mingle. This group was created to help women in Orange County and nearby cities find joy. I found the group while on maternity leave and seeking connection with other …
YWCA Greater Los Angeles
California
YWCA Greater Los Angeles
California
I chose to create inspiration rocks but had to improvise a bit! Initially, I had planned to create inspiration rocks with clients, but as a client-centered therapist, I meet my clients where they are at. I decided to move forward with the activity du…
The Way Resource Center
California
The Way Resource Center
California
It was an honor to facilitate a Financial Healing workshop that created a safe and supportive space for participants in our career development program to explore their relationship with money through a healing-centered lens.  Throughout the sessio…
Arts Connection
California
Arts Connection
California
I chose to do a workshop for myself because I felt like I needed to have a day of healing art. There can be a lot of stressors that occur in our day to day and lately I've been having low energy, so I wanted to create a journal for the new year to re…
Shelter from the Storm
California
Shelter from the Storm
California
I recently began going to school again and have been juggling many things at once to stay afloat. I started therapy as well and a big focus has been to make time for self-care. That is why I did an art workshop on my own, for myself. The activity I d…
EveryStep
Iowa
EveryStep
Iowa
I partnered with an Occupational Therapist I know in Des Moines, IA to host a “Befriending Your Feelings” AWBW group for kids ages 7-12 with their parents participating too. We did several activities to explore our feelings. We started with a scribbl…
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…