Client Piece: Home

James’ Story:

James (age 8) is a middle child in a family of five. His father went to prison for multiple domestic violence related charges perpetuated against different women. Growing up, James watched how his father expressed anger or dealt with conflict, and he learned to express himself in similar ways. James has been told by adult figures in his life that he is just like his abusive father, and in turn he often struggles with his self-image and worth. Through support group, individual therapy, and additional help at his current school, James is learning to develop a new sense of self, and healthy ways to express his emotions.

About James’ Piece, Home:

James painted a home. His family moved often to escape his abusive father. James dreams about having one safe home for his family where he can go to the same school for many years, make friends, and have neighbors that he is also friends with.

Size: 14″ x 18″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Sonia’s Story:

Sonia’s parents were married just months before she was born, and many people told them that they were the perfect couple. Sonia’s father was handsome and charming. Her mother was fun and outgoing. Behind closed doors, Sonia’s father was controlling, jealous and physically abusive. Over time, the abuse escalated and her father’s abusive behaviors started spilling out from behind the closed doors of their family home. Sonia’s parents worked together, and her father had begun openly verbally and emotionally abusing her mother at their workplace. Sonia’s mother left after a particularly explosive incident at their family home. Sonia’s neighbors attempted to intervene to protect Sonia (age 7) and her mother, but they were attacked by Sonia’s father and the police were called. Sonia’s parents now share custody, and Sonia struggles with the inconsistency in her life. Her time with her mother feels secure and consistent, but her time with her father is chaotic and often fills her with dread. Sonia is also struggling with ADHD and low self-esteem. Our children’s advocate sees Sonia’s struggle in children’s support group, as Sonia sometimes does not feel confident enough to even partake in the art projects.

About Sonia’s Piece, Confusion:

At first Sonia had a specific idea in mind and she knew what she wanted to create. As she began painting she started to doubt herself, and as she struggled her painting changed into a jumble of different colors. Our children’s advocate sees Sonia’s daily inner turmoil reflected in her painting.

Size: 11″ x 14″

Sonia is Finn’s younger sister. Read Finn’s story here. 

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Tonya’s Story:

Tonya (age 31) came to our safe shelter with her two young children after escaping a physically, emotionally, and financially abusive relationship. Tonya’s husband knew that she was also abused by her parents as a child, and he used this against her, saying that the violence she experienced as a child and as an adult was something she deserved. He would often tell her that she made him do it. Tonya did not want the cycle of violence to continue with her two sons, and one day while her abuser was at work she was able to safely escape with them.

About Tonya’s Piece, Swimming With Jellyfish:

Tonya says that living with her abuser was like swimming with jellyfish. She never knew when she was going to get stung.

Size: 12″ x 12″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Maggie’s Story:

Maggie (age 36) took her two children and left her abusive husband of seven years because she felt that her safety and her children’s safety were at risk. As Maggie was leaving with the children, her abuser took a mirror off the wall in their living room and tried to hit Maggie as hard as he could. The mirror and broken glass missed Maggie and the children, but she knew that she needed to escape to a safe place. In our outreach support group, Maggie shared that her abuser would often yell at her as loud as he could and if she cried or spoke, he would force her into a corner and tell her that she was not allowed to move until he told her to.

About Maggie’s Piece, Release:

Maggie says that sometimes you have to release the anger and resentment that builds up inside of you or it becomes unhealthy and unbearable. “Some days you just want to scream!”

Size: 11″ x 14″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Morgan’s Story:

Morgan (age 7 ) is the 2^nd oldest child among her five siblings. Since infancy, Morgan has experienced instability, domestic violence, and substance abuse in her home. Morgan’s mother left her father in hopes of a new start to escape the abuse, but her mother’s new relationship was also abusive and unhealthy. After a particularly violent incident that occurred between her mother and her mother’s new boyfriend, Morgan and her siblings were placed in foster care. Just as things were beginning to stabilize for Morgan and her siblings, they were placed back with their mother. Today, Morgan and her family are trying to create a new and stable life that is free of abuse.

About Morgan’s Piece, Family:

Morgan recreated her 4^th birthday in her painting. This memory is special to Morgan. She remembers it as a time when her mother, father and siblings were all still together, and had not yet been displaced from their family home. Soon after Morgan’s 4^th birthday is when Morgan’s mother left her father.

Size: 11″ x 14″

Morgan is Ashlee’s younger sister. Read Ashlee’s story here.

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Ashlee’s Story:

Ashlee (age 8) is the oldest of her five siblings. Her mother was a young teenager when Ashlee was born, and Ashlee’s father was an addict who used substances to gain power and control in his relationship with Ashlee’s mother. Ashlee’s mother experienced physical, emotional, financial and verbal abuse from Ashlee’s father. When Ashlee’s mother left to begin a new life and a new relationship, she was hoping to escape the abuse, but her mother’s new boyfriend was abusive and an addict as well. Ashlee’s life was often chaotic, and always changing. She struggles with authority figures and does not like giving up control in her life. Ashlee is a protective older sister who does her best to take care of her siblings.

About Ashlee’s Piece, Dots:

Ashlee is very creative and loves to help others. When our Children’s Advocate asked the children’s group to create art for this special project, she was a wonderful and eager helper. She did not want to share her personal story or emotions in her art, but she does hope that you like these dots instead.

Size: 12″ x 16″

Ashlee is Morgan’s older sister. Read Morgan’s story here. 

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Diana’s Story:

Diana comes from a family where the cycle of abuse has continued for many generations. Diana endured and was witness to abuse from her father, grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousin. Her family also has a history of substance abuse as a means of escape from the generational domestic violence and poverty that they all have lived with. Diana and her mother both came to our safe home after Diana’s mother left her abusive father and knew that she wanted the cycle of domestic violence to end.

About Diana’s Piece, Sunset:

The abusive family Diana and her mother left live together on family land in a rural area, near the Boston Mountains. Diana says that she really misses some things about her family’s home, like watching the beautiful sun set over the mountains every evening.

Size: 12″ x 16″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Anita’s Story:

In our outreach support groups, Anita (age 34) has shared that the abuse she experienced destroyed her self-worth and self-esteem. Her abuser would demean her, and she sometimes would believe that she deserved the abuse. When Anita initially sought our support and services, she said she know that her children needed to escape to a safe home. Anita shares that support groups help her stay positive, and to look forward.

About Anita’s Piece, The Hovering Darkness:

“The darkness is always lurking, ready at any moment to sneak in and steal my happiness.”

Size: 12″ x 16″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Camille’s Story:

Camille (age 37) was scared for her life when her abusive, alcoholic husband made threats towards her and their neighbors. Since Camille left her abuser, both she and her child have been attending our weekly support groups. Camille shares that she and her son are on a path towards a new life, free of fear.

About Camille’s Piece, Monster:

“My abuser is ever present, like a lurking monster that makes me feel insecure and unsafe every day and night of my life.”

Size: 8″ x 16″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20. 

Charlotte’s Story:

Charlotte (age 37) and her two children started attending our weekly outreach support groups after Charlotte left her abuser. Charlotte has been able to share with her peers in support group about how the emotional, mental, and financial abuse she endured from her ex-husband often made her feel worthless. Charlotte says support group has strengthened her bond with her children and brought them all closer together.

About Charlotte’s Piece, Red Woman:

“Anger consumed me for a long time. Learning ways to cope with anger is one of my goals. I don’t want that emotion to bleed into all of my relationships.”

Size: 10″ x 10″

Support fresh starts and purchase this art piece for a suggested donation of $20.