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 either living in shelters or unhoused, had fled abuse and immigrated to the U.S., were all parents, and spoke Spanish as their first language. They were also of a similar age range, which helped create a sense of connection within the group.

In the community I work with, many parents devote all their energy to their children, focusing on giving them the best possible life. This often leaves little time for caregivers to honor their own needs and seek healing for themselves. 

At first, the participants were a bit shy, but the workshop ended up being a powerful experience. They opened up about how they used colors and textures on their masks to represent their struggles and experiences with abuse. Some showed the love they have for their children and how that has been their source of strength. One participant said, “My mask is simple because that is how I am. I am simple and serious. I used to be fun and trust others, but now I am just me—nothing more. I don’t want people to know my emotions because they use them against me.“ This sparked meaningful conversations about trauma, isolation, and the difficulty of trusting others.  I hope this impact helps survivors feel supported, validated, and motivated to keep engaging with services as they work to improve their lives.