Survivor stories & impact
Stories unlock healing that traditional methods cannot access. Art and personal accounts reveal the profound impact of creative expression on trauma recovery and community transformation.
Art unlocks healing
Art engages our entire neural network, creating unique pathways for emotional processing that words alone cannot access.
Through our programs, survivors express complex feelings, process trauma, and reconnect with their authentic selves within a supportive community that transforms individual healing into collective strength.
It has given me a sense of community. I am inspired by the strength, fortitude, and creativity of survivors. I admire the voices that the art and writing exposes.
Awakenings as the name suggests offers an epiphany for all survivors and allies of those who have experienced sexual trauma.
Laurie
By the end of the Cohort, I found myself not being attached to outcome, but rather engrossed in the moment of creation.
The entire expanse of expression, being fully present with myself and discovering new depths of myself was the craft.
Avesha
Within my cohort experience, I was able to try and learn new things while receiving support and affirmation in a gentle, trauma-informed space.
The art I made during the cohort allowed me to process my feelings in a creative space with empathy. Participating in the group made me feel like I was part of a community and had somewhere to belong. I have grown as an artist and a person from my cohort experience, as I was influenced by each workshop, teaching artists, staff members, and fellow cohort artists.
Marie
Our theory of change
Our theory of change shows how survivor-centered art experiences can help move survivors of sexual trauma from isolation and pain to connection, healing, and thriving.
What problem are we trying to solve?
Survivors of sexual violence lack access to healing art opportunities and resources.
What strategies are we employing to solve it?
Create a survivor-centered gallery space for art making and gathering.
Offer a non-clinical healing arts curriculum that is community-developed, multidisciplinary, subsidized, and facilitated by teaching artists.
What outcomes do we hope to achieve?
Survivors experience a trauma-informed, inclusive environment for healing.
Survivors feel empowered and supported in their healing journey.
What is our mission?
Awakenings provides survivors of sexual violence with a trauma-informed, inclusive art experience that encourages healing.
What do we envision?
A world where survivors of sexual violence thrive.
Gain emotional clarity when feelings overwhelm us
Research consistently shows that creative expression strengthens the recovery process, reducing anxiety while fostering hope and overall psychological well-being in ways that complement traditional therapeutic approaches.
Experiencing art creates lasting improvements to our mental health and resilience.
of our participants would try artmaking at home during a difficult time, after attending an Awakenings workshop
Art illuminates the healing journey
Art offers survivors a powerful pathway to process trauma beyond words.
Difficult emotions and experiences emerge within a safe, controlled environment where creative expression leads to profound healing.
Healing
Art creates new pathways for emotional processing when traditional methods feel inadequate.
Connection
Creative expression helps rebuild meaningful connections with yourself and others on similar journeys.
Learning
Through artistic exploration, survivors discover resilience and capabilities they hadn't recognized before.
Understanding
Visual and tactile expression brings clarity to complex experiences in uniquely accessible ways.
Community
Our creative workshops foster supportive relationships among survivors who share similar healing paths.
Well-being
Regular artistic practice reduces stress hormones while increasing feelings of accomplishment and peace.
Stay connected with Awakenings
Join our mailing list to get thoughtful resources, workshop announcements, and gentle reminders about upcoming opportunities to connect with survivors like you.
Survivor Stories
Healing stories from our community
Every artwork, poem, and story created here helps illuminate paths for others. Our blog shares these beacons of hope and raw honesty, honoring each unique voice and experience in the journey toward healing.
What if we imagined what we usually call “healing” as “building” or “rebuilding?” Ania Garcia suggests and analyzes this shift in language by imagining survivors
- Essay
Marieken Cochius is a prolific visual artist, deeply inspired by the natural world around her. A painter, sculptor, and photographer, Marieken is an expert in
- Interview
When we’re brought to city of Amman, Jordan with Shantha Bunyan, we’re briefly wrapped up in all the details, small and large, that make up
- Memoir
Make an impact in your community through survivor-lead healing
Awakenings was founded by and for survivors, ensuring their voices guide every decision while collaborating with clinicians to maintain trauma-informed practices.
Join our movement today and watch your partnership create waves of healing that empower survivors to reclaim their stories and build resilient futures through the liberating power of creative expression.
Create, connect, & heal
Find your place in our circle of creators, where every artistic choice is valid and every emotion is welcome. Healing isn’t linear, nor a path you have to walk alone.