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.

Dress for Success: Suits to Self-Sufficiency

Dress for Success works to promote the economic independence of at-risk, disadvantaged women. Providing professional attire and a network of support, Dress for Success works to give women the tools they need to develop their careers and gain self-sufficiency.

The Los Angeles affiliate branch of Dress for Success is the Dress for Success Worldwide – West headquarters. Low-income women are their focus and their goal is to remove these women from public assistance. Suits provide confidence, and help women look their best.

Dress for Success Statistics

Of the women Dress for Success assists:

• 40% are African American
• 37% are Hispanic
• 13% are Caucasian
• 2% are Asian
• 79% are mothers
• 76% are single mothers
• 15% are divorced, separated, or widowed

Volunteer and Donate to Dress for Success

There are a lot of volunteer opportunities at Dress for Success. From Image Consultants, to Career Coaches, Dress for Success is looking for volunteers to help women get their careers on track. You need to fill out the volunteer application and then send it to adriana@dressforsuccess.org.

If you don’t have time to volunteer you can always donate money or clothing. To donate money, click here. $50 sponsors one woman in the Suiting Program and provides her professional attire before her first interview.

You can also donate clothing. They accept clothing donations each month on the second Saturday of each month from 9:30 am to 12 pm at 1680 N. Vine, Suite 900 in Hollywood in the Taft building at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. You should pull up to the 5 min loading zone, park your car, and come in to the 9th floor. Volunteers can help you carry your clothing up. You can also park in metered street parking. For a list of what they accept, click here.

Contact Dress for Success Los Angeles at 323.461.1021 or email them at worldwidewest@dressforsuccess.org. They are located at 1680 N. Vine Street Suite 900, Hollywood, CA 90028.

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.

YWCA Santa Monica/Westside: Opportunities to Empower Women

Mission: Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA empowers women and girls by creating opportunities for growth and leadership.

Through investing in the community’s women and girls throughout their entire lives, the YWCA works to improve their lives by providing child development, teen leadership, transitional housing, education, girls’ athletics, financial counseling, parenting classes, basic health and fitness awareness, and cancer support. The YWCA has served as a “turning point” in the lives of many at-risk women and young girls.

Free Programs for Women and Girls to Fill a Vital Community Need

Grants, private contributions and special events fund transitional housing and education programs for young women, as well as leadership programs for middle-school girls. Rehabilitation programs, the Libbie Agran Financial Literacy Center, A Place for Parents and an athletic program for ages 7-14 years are also funded by these contributions.

Paid Classes to Enhance the Community

The YWCA offers classes where women and girls pay for lessons in art, drama, gymnastics, dance, exercise, and self-defense. An annual membership is about $45 per year. They also offer scholarships. To enroll in these classes call Linda Garcia at 310.452.3881 or click here to enroll.

Get Involved with YWCA

You can help out at the YWCA Santa Monica/Westside by becoming a member, donating, passing out newsletters or by volunteering.

The smallest donation can help out at the YWCA. As little as $25 can help 30 cancer survivors participate in rehabilitative pool exercise classes. You can donate with cash or check by mailing money to 2019 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405. You can donate online by clicking here.

You can also volunteer at YWCA by coaching girls’ athletics, helping at the front office, or even through fundraising. You can check out their volunteer application online or contact Linda Garcia at 310.452.3881 or lgarcia@smywca.org.