A Window Between Worlds: 20 Years of Creativity and Healing

Can art help to end domestic violence? A Window Between Worlds believes that through creativity and healing, battered women and children can find a renewed sense of power and self. The images of survival, strength, and hope also spread the word about domestic violence, educating the public while survivors share their process of taking steps toward a better life.

Since 1991, A Window Between Worlds has provided healing tools through creative expression to 49,500 battered women and children in crisis centers and transitional homes. Art workshops provide a renewed sense of hope for women, helping them to realize that their lives are profound and their relationships are important. Their self-confidence is boosted, and they learn to value themselves more.

Art as an Outlet to Coping with Domestic Violence

Through art women and children are able to break the silence of their struggles and tell their stories. A Window Between Worlds believes that art is able to assist in:

1. Breaking the Silence
2. Recovering a Sense of Safety
3. Releasing Anger
4. Recovering a Sense of Joy
5. Building Feelings of Self Worth and Confidence
6. Developing a Positive Vision for the Future
7. Finding Support for Change
8. Building Connections with Each Other
9. Transforming Shelters

Get Involved with A Window Between Worlds

The Volunteer Opportunities are endless at A Window Between Worlds. From art project prep and artistic tasks to database entry and general office help, check out A Window Between Worlds Today to see how you can help.

A Window Between Worlds relies heavily on donations. Make a donation today to support the healing power of art for victims of domestic violence.

You can also contact A Window Between Worlds at 710 4th Avenue, Suite 5, Venice, California 90291. You can also call them at 301.396.0317 or check out A Window Between Worlds website.

Peace Over Violence: One on One, One by One

Peace Over Violence is a fantastic non-profit, feminist, multicultural, volunteer organization that works to build relationships from the ground up for families and communities to keep them free from sexual, interpersonal, and domestic violence. In 2011, Peace Over Violence has been around for 40 years making a difference in the lives of people in Los Angeles.

Peace Over Violence works to provide services in the following areas:

• Emergency: 24-7, Peace Over Violence offers support to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking. Find the corresponding number to your area for the 24 hour crisis line:
  213.626.3393 Central Los Angeles
  310.392.8381 South Los Angeles
  626.793.3385 West San Gabriel Valley
  877.633.0044 Stalking Hotline
• Intervention: A lot of people are unable to report instances of violence because they are disabled, elderly, or undocumented. Their intervention services give group counseling, and solve short term crises.
• Prevention: These services teach people how to deal with violence and the after effects which include psychological and emotional pain.
• Education: Education is the best way to make people aware of domestic violence issues. Peace Over Violence offers preventative education and teen services to make people aware of whether or not they are in an abusive relationship and how to avoid it.
• Advocacy: Peace Over Violence offers advocacy services for people going through the legal battle and receive just accommodations and compensation through the legal system.

Volunteer and Donate to Peace Over Violence

Volunteers make up the bulk of the Peace Over Violence impact. You can join a program or become an intern. All volunteers will go through a specialized training program and work with the staff.

You can also donate to Peace Over Violence.

To contact Peace Over Violence, visit 1015 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017 or see the entire list of Peace Over Violence contacts.

California Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Helping Victims of Domestic Violence

California Coalition Against Domestic Violence works on empowering battered women and children to avoid permanent damage that domestic violence usually holds on them. Through advocacy and education, CCADV serves domestic violence victims through a resource and referral service, especially in October which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

How do you know if you are in a dangerous relationship? (source)

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive or dangerous relationship.

• Does your partner blame you when he or she mistreats you?
• Does your partner call you names?
• Does your partner’s temper scare you?
• Does your partner try to control a lot of aspects of your life?
• Does your partner pick at your friends and family, attempting to cut you off?
• Does your partner try to make you choose?
• Do they get violent on drugs and alcohol?
• Do they throw things at you?
• Do they physically assault you?
• Does your partner follow you?
• Does your partner force you to have sex?
• Does your partner want you to give him your paycheck?
• Do you hide things from your partner as to not upset him?
• Are you afraid to speak up against your partner?
• Are you afraid of your partner when he becomes angry?
• Are you uncomfortable to your partner’s verbal teasing?

What You Can Do

Educate yourself. Learn that abuse is a learned behavior and spread that knowledge. Make sure to report any instances of domestic abuse you might hear of and raise awareness in the circles where you socialize.

Donate today to California Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Los Angeles House of Ruth: Empowering Women, Changing Lives

The Los Angeles House of Ruth has experience helping women in emergency situations. They say that most of the women that they encounter have recently left their abusive husbands with nowhere to live, nothing to eat, and children to support. House of Ruth works to give women not only a place to stay, but also the life skills to live independent, successful lives.

“Our program is so successful that we have a 95% success rate in keeping families off the streets for the rest of their lives ensuring positive futures for their families and future generations.”

Since 1978, the House of Ruth has been one of a few specialized shelters in Los Angeles. They offer an environment that resembles a home, and give immediate attention to children who suffer from the consequences of chaotic, toxic environments. The Los Angeles House of Ruth offers both women and children a “new way of life.”

Special Circumstances Call for Your Immediate Attention!

2010 has been an especially tough year for the House of Ruth in Los Angeles with the need for homeless assistance rising by 50% and the donations decreasing by 30% leaving them with a shortfall of $150,000 for the year.

If they do not raise that money, they will be forced to close one of their four shelter houses and put homeless families back on the street.

Campaign 15 is a push to raise $150,000 in 15 days. They say that for the cost of two lattes and a bagel, you can keep families off the streets and help women and children in their journey to living successful lives.

Donate now to the Los Angeles House of Ruth to save one of their shelters.

To get in touch with the Los Angeles House of Ruth, email them directly at Ruth33288@aol.com or call the office at 323-266-4139. You can also send them mail at PO Box 33288, Los Angeles, CA 90033.

Downtown Women’s Center: Ending Homelessness for Women in Los Angeles

The Downtown Women’s Center works to give homeless women permanent housing and a safe, healthy community that increases their self-respect and personal stability. Their goal is to eradicate homelessness for women.

The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) opened in 1978. Before their existance, homeless women were dominated by the “man’s world” of Skid Row and other homeless areas that were only accessible to men. Women, especially mentally ill women, were left homeless on the streets with the closing of psychiatric hospitals in the early 1970s. Thus, Jill Halverson in 1978 founded the city’s first day center for women providing a place to live and meals to women in need.

Statistics: Women in Homelessness

• Over 50% of homeless women are homeless due to domestic violence.
• 75% of poor elderly people are women.
• 60% of women getting public assistance have been victims of domestic violence
• 14% of the homeless population are single women
• 92% of homeless mothers were victims of physical or sexual assault

Women and children are often referred to as “the hidden homeless” because they are the most turned away group of people from homeless shelters due to safety concerns of aggressive homeless men.

“It is not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours.” – President Barack Obama

The DWC provides lasting solutions for homeless women and the children they provide for.

Give Back to the Downtown Women’s Center to Help Homeless Women

You can volunteer or donate to the Downtown Women’s Center to give back.

Volunteering at the Downtown Women’s Center is an easy process. You can choose from one of their available volunteer opportunities and then fill out the individual application or group application and send it to volunteer@dwcweb.org. Then you will have to attend a volunteer orientation/training session (which is not required for all volunteer positions). Check out their events calendar to see which dates work for you.

Don’t have time to volunteer? You can always donate money or in-kind donations. Donate online or send a check to 325 S. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. $36 provides a monthly management session for 3 DWC residents and $2000 provides a year of individual and group counseling reaching over 100 women. Every bit helps. For more information on how to donate click here.

You can also contact the Downtown Women’s Center at 213-680-6000 (administrative offices) or 213-613-0761 (day center). They are located at 442 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.