It look me a long time to realize that in hindsight, a college roommate had been abused by her boyfriend. How could I miss the red flags and warning signs at the time? He was becoming possessive and controlling, she was accepting his verbal abuse, and the bruised eye I had seen probably was not due to an accidental fall as she was embarrassed to say. I had tried to be a good friend and listener, but the thought of not doing more to help someone I deeply care about still weighs heavily on me. I cannot change my inaction in the past, but I can certainly do better in the present in order to help someone in need.

I’m hoping to raise awareness and support for A Window Between Worlds (AWBW), a non-profit organization aimed at reaching thousands of women, men, and children to heal from the deep impact of domestic violence and trauma through art. For the next 25 weeks, my goal is to get 25 people to donate $25 or more in an effort to raise $2,500 to help ensure survivors of violence and trauma get these life altering programs that provide a window of safety and change. AWBW has been providing vital programs and services to the community for 25 years, and it is the only organization that provides free art leader training and art supplies to domestic violence programs and shelters across the country. AWBW is art for healing, not art therapy. Art therapists come to AWBW to get trained because the process works.

Having served as a volunteer and donor for over 22 years out of its 25 years in existence, I am proud to have been part of a deeply passionate, personally committed and hardworking team. I would like you to join me, my husband Michael, our children, and our AWBW family in helping to make a brighter difference for the many lives directly affected by domestic violence, other violence and trauma.

Want to know the ways to help?

Make a tax-deductible donation of $25 (or any amount). We have a $250,000 matching grant in honor of the 25th Anniversary Year, so any new/increased donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar! Go the link to the side or mail in your donation.

Connect AWBW with corporate or grant funding opportunities.

Volunteer.

Please share. Help spread the word! -- Amanda L.

#AWBW #ArtHealsTrauma #AWBW25