Southwest Florida Community Foundation assists Shelter’s Healing Arts
The Shelter recently received a $25,000 Community Impact Grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. The grant will help fund The Shelter’s Healing Arts program, which uses the arts to assist survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking as they move toward wholeness and personal growth in the aftermath of trauma.
Healing Arts incorporates holistic activities provide survivors with a variety of art-related outlets including trauma education, advocacy, mindfulness meditation, yoga, painting, writing and drumming. This program is an essential component of The Shelter that transforms lives and empowers survivors to move from tragedy to triumph. Through the arts, survivors are able to move into higher levels of functioning in body, mind and spirit. The series of individual and group services and support unlock participants’ inner strengths and personal resources. As a result of this program, survivors:
- Develop trust, autonomy, self-initiative
- Improve stability and balance as they develop a positive worldview and become empowered
- Increase self-esteem to become healthier and stronger at all levels
- Create healthier relationships, thus contributing to social change
Key strategic activities provided by this program include:
- Art for Healing
- Breathing and Stretching
- Crystal Bowls
- Drum Circle
- Guided Imagery
- Individual Meditation and Relaxation
- Trauma Education
- Writing for Healing
- Yoga and Mindful Meditation
Funding from the Community Impact Grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation will be utilized toward the salary, taxes and benefits of The Shelter’s Healing Arts Advocate for program delivery.
