Expanding the work: Updates from Common Threads Project
Over the last few months, survivors of gender-based violence in Nepal, Ecuador, and the US have come together, building trust and embarking on their recovery journeys. Local trainees at our sites are sharpening their clinical skills and embedding CTP’s approach in their communities. Visitors to our New York City exhibition have had the opportunity to bear witness and stand in solidarity. And front line mental healthcare workers in Poland and Ukraine have practiced critical tools for managing trauma and self care.
Read on to learn more about all this what we’ve been up to. To stay up to date on future CTP news, subscribe to our mailing list.
Nepal
Throughout the summer and into the fall, three new healing circles for survivors of gender-based violence have been meeting in Kathmandu. Two continuing circles – one for women from Kathmandu’s Ward 25 and another for members of the queer community – have engaged in a variety of art activities and sewing. As they stitch and create together, they continue on the pathway of cultivating awareness and solidarity.
Another circle, having celebrated their healing work with a mini-exhibition in July, embarked on a new project together: Collaboratively, they’ve stitched their additions into a story cloth started by our colleagues in Ecuador. The resulting international textile speaks the struggle against gender based violence across the globe.
Two of the Sajha Dhago circles also celebrated the Hindu festival Teej this summer. They danced and shared food to mark the occasion.
Ecuador
In Sucumbios province, healing circles began meeting in July, with an additional two circles commencing soon.
Migrant women from Colombia, Venezuela, and Amazonia, who’ve experienced displacement, sexual violence, and trauma, have engaged in deep healing work together. In the groups, they’ve created strong bonds, supported each other in recovery, and begun to create their story cloths.
The circles are led by facilitators at the Federación de Mujeres de Sucumbios who participated in an experiential training in May. In November, we will reconvene with the team in Lago Agrio for another week of advanced training. This training will prepare the facilitators to deepen their work in trauma processing with the participants in the months ahead.
Poland and Ukraine
Mental health workers are on the front lines in addressing the Russian War in Ukraine. This summer, Common Threads Project facilitated a virtual stress management and burnout prevention program for staff at two partnering organizations. Over the course of eight sessions, CTP’s Catherine Butterly and Tally Tripp led the group in creative methods for self care and managing trauma.
We will continue collaborating with partners in the region to support mental health workers on the frontline and prepare for a full CTP program when the situation stabilizes.
New York City
Our programs in New York have continued their healing work. At Bellevue’s Program for Survivors of Torture, the circle for Francophone West African women is led by Dr. Adeyinka Akinsulure-Smith, Dr. Rachel Cohen, and apprentice-interpreter Sokhna Ndiaye.
They are moving forward with art, story cloths, psychoeducation, skills for coping and singing and dancing. Women who were isolated and depressed are finding joy and camaraderie in this new community.
At Sanctuary for Families, a new circle has just recently started. Led by art therapists, Keyra Carpio-Muller and Kim Neill, the Spanish and English speaking group will meet throughout the fall, winter, and spring. Keyra and Kim report an enthusiastic first meeting, with great energy and openness.
Seattle
On the other coast, our partners at Refugees Northwest and Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) have been working to support survivors from refugee and migrant communities in Seattle.
At Refugees Northwest, a circle for Afghan women concluded this summer. The group was facilitated by Niloufar Amirmoezi and Faten Rashid. Together, they built a community of trust and safety in which the participants made great strides in recovering from the effects of human rights abuses they have suffered.
The group at ACRS has been working deeply with survivors from Vietnam and Cambodia. Although many of the traumas took place decades before, some had remained silent for years until given encouragement and safety to disclose their hidden stories of the war.
They are feeling a sense of relief in overcoming stigma and shame, sharing these experiences with one another and finding commonality. Led by Sukonthea Ok, Sorphorn Thoam, and Phuong Thi-Ngoc Nguyen the circle will conclude at the end of October with a celebration of their achievement.
Raising Awareness
Sharing the Stories of Survivors
Our story cloth exhibit in New York came down at the beginning of October. Over the course of the exhibition, more than 200 visitors came to bear witness to came the stories of healing circle participants, raising awareness and building solidarity.
Immense gratitude to the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund for hosting the exhibit and making it all possible. The digital catalog from the exhibit – which features photos and videos of the story cloths – will continue to be available on our website.
Contributing to the Field
In September, Executive Director Rachel Cohen, spoke on a plenary panel at the National Organization for Arts in Health conference in Cleveland. She shared about CTP’s work in New York, how we understand our impact, and how we approach our partnerships.
Senior art therapist Lisa Garlock presented virtually at BIEN23, a textile biennale in Kranj, Slovenia. She spoke about her work on the StoryclothDatabase, community textiles, and Common Threads Project. You can view her presentation here.
Celebrating Sajha Dhago
Our Sister Organization in Nepal
The team at Sajha Dhago, CTP’s Center of Excellence in Nepal, has received tremendous recognition for their work. The Ward 20 healing circle was featured on a local Kathmandu news station, and facilitator Urmila Shrestha received a governmental honor for Nepal’s National Anti Human Trafficking Day. Congratulations to Urmilla and the entire Sajha Dhago team for their tremendous work and achievements!
Ways You Can Support
Spread the Word
Large and pervasive issues like gender-based violence, require us all to take part as a community. Help spread the word to your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. Follow us on social media, host a fundraiser, or walk through our virtual gallery with people you know.
The Action Collective
The Action Collective is our network of monthly donors. They make monthly contributions that help sustain our work.
Hear from one member of the Action Collective, on why she supports Common Threads Project.
