Embroidering Better Worlds: Updates from Common Threads Project
These past few months at Common Threads Project have been lively and productive. In the newsletter below, you’ll find updates from this past quarter, including on our trainings in Ecuador and New York, ongoing circles in Nepal and the US, and a new stress management and burnout reduction program for clinicians on the frontlines in Poland and Ukraine.
Throughout all of this work, we have been filled with gratitude for our community of support who make this possible: from the clinicians on the ground, to our team of faculty, to you, who support us near and far. Thank you!
As one of the participants in our recent Ecuador training shared: “Knowing each other fills me with joy, strengthening the conviction that we can come together to embroider better worlds.”
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Ecuador
In May, CTP faculty Lisa Raye Garlock, Executive Director Rachel Cohen, and apprentice-interpreter Ronny Kempenich led a training for 14 facilitators in Sucumbios province.
In the training, trainees experienced every aspect of the intervention themselves. They spent time building knowledge about the neurobiology of trauma, body-based approaches to trauma treatment, art therapy, psychoeducation, and using story cloths therapeutically.
These facilitators will soon begin four healing circles for survivors of gender-based violence in Sucumbios and Quito.
We, as trainers, learned much from our colleagues during this visit. They are trailblazing in their approach to helping women and children in dangerous situations, and their understanding of environmental justice as part of the healing process.
We look forward to continuing this collaboration with the Federación de Mujeres de Sucumbios and working to establish a center of excellence in the region.
Nepal
Sajha Dhago, our CTP Center of Excellence in Nepal, has continued their healing work these past three months. A number of healing circles have progressed to the final phase of the intervention, where participants deepen their work with story cloths and trauma processing.
One group, for women in the Ward 20 section of Kathmandu, recently celebrated their completion of the program. They’ve made story cloths and felt mandelas and concluded with a mini-exhibition and outdoor celebration.
Throughout the phases, participants have learned self-regulation techniques and how to handle stress. They’ve also improved self esteem: as one participant shared, “I was living for others, now I have started to live.”
Another circle for Kathmandu’s queer community has completed Phase II and will resume sessions for the final Phase soon. Two participants have started an entrepreneurship and awareness campaign through their sewing; and others in this young person’s group have taken steps to pursue their education further or join the workforce.
“I find that embroidery on story cloth helps me to concentrate, clear my mind and improve focus. The repetitive motions and patterns promote mindfulness, which can help me to focus on my studies.”
- LGBTQI+ group participant
Poland and Ukraine
In June, CTP faculty Tally Tripp and Catherine Butterly began working with frontline clinicians in Poland and Ukraine. The virtual program, "Managing Stress and Trauma: Creative Self Care for Clinicians and Staff,” supports those who are providing crisis services for others, and who are themselves refugees.
During the first meeting of the program, our colleagues in Ukraine had to jump off Zoom when a siren went off, calling them down to the shelters because of shelling and explosions in Kyiv. It is essential that those on the frontline receive support they need so that they can continue to provide care for those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Once the situation stabilizes, and is no longer in active crisis, we will begin working towards establishing a CTP program to support healing in the years to come.
New York City
Two circles at Sanctuary for Families have recently celebrated the conclusion of their program. Participants from around the world came together, built community, learned self-regulation skills, and created story cloths. The third circle at Sanctuary for Families is currently ongoing.
In June, facilitators from these groups convened for advanced training. They reflected on their inaugural circles, deepening their understanding of the CTP methodology and art therapy techniques. As part of the training, they studied the story cloths their groups created.
Meanwhile, a new circle at Bellevue Hospital’s Program for Survivors of Torture, is just underway. The group for Francophone West African women began meeting this June, with participants diving in with much enthusiasm.
Facilitated by Dr. Adeyinka Akinsulure-Smith, Dr. Rachel Cohen, and apprentice-interpreter Sokhna Ndaiye, this group is the second CTP healing circle at PSOT. You can hear more about the first one here.
Seattle
Two Seattle partners, Asian Counseling Referral Service (ACRS) and Refugees Northwest (RNW), have been facilitating healing circles.
The circle at ACRS—led by Sukonthea Ok, Sorphorn Thoam, and Phuong Thi-Ngoc Nguyen—will be wrapping up soon. The group, composed of Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees, has formed a supportive community where participants have been able to share their stories and stitch together.
A new circle at RNW for Afghan refugees started in May. Facilitated by Niloufar Amirmoezi and Faten Rashid, the group has begun building trust and community and learning self-regulation techniques. They enjoy the stitching and are eager to begin making story cloths.
Washington, D.C.
Our team of talented faculty in DC have been developing partnerships with a number of organizations in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area.
In May, Tally Tripp led a workshop for staff at Northern Virginia Family Services Multicultural Center. The center provides a wide range of community services to individuals and families new to the United States.
Lisa Raye Garlock led another workshop in June for staff at InterCultural Counseling Connections, HIAS, the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project. These organizations provide services to diverse women in DC and Maryland.
Through these workshops, Lisa and Tally introduced the organizations and their staff to the CTP approach, giving a taste for how stitching and art can be used as part of the healing process.
Stay tuned for more on this emerging program as it continues to develop.
Global Solidarity
Exhibition in New York
With the generous support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, our exhibition of story cloths in NY has been extended to September.
The exhibit brings together story cloths from participants and facilitators around the globe. So far, nearly 200 visitors, including participants from one of our NY-based healing circles, have visited the show.
We are now in the process of collecting responses to the exhibit to share with the story cloth makers themselves. The participants in our circles have chosen to share their stories: to be heard, to be seen, to be listened to and understood.
It means so much that you’ve taken the time to connect and bear witness. If you visited the exhibit (in-person or online), please take a moment to share a couple sentences in response.
And – if you haven’t seen it already – there will be a few limited opportunities to visit this summer or early fall. Fill out this interest form, if you would like to see it before it comes down.
Collaborative Story Cloth
In another show of global solidarity and connection, our colleagues in Ecuador have shared an unfinished story cloth with our partner in Nepal.
The community at Sajha Dhago will now work on adding their stitches to this shared cloth, honoring the “common threads” that unite survivors around the world.
Influencing the Field
Raising Awareness
Deputy Director Vesna Golic spoke at Together Women Rise’s 20th Anniversary event in May. She shared how TWR’s support in 2022 helped us establish a CTP Center of Excellence, train 14 new clinicians, and accompany nearly 100 participants on their healing journeys in Nepal.
Executive Director Rachel Cohen presented virtually to colleagues at the “Psychosomatic Medicine: Science and Practice” conference in April. At the event, hosted by the Ministry of Healthcare and the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Rachel shared more about the CTP approach.
Ways You Can Support
The Action Collective
The Action Collective is our network of monthly donors. They make monthly contributions that help sustain our work.
Witness Survivors’ Stories
As one member of our board explains, it can be incredibly powerful to have one’s story heard, seen, and believed. We are currently collecting responses to our NY Exhibition, “Stitch by Stitch: the Fabric of Healing.” If you visited the exhibit this Spring, or viewed the digital catalog online, please take a moment to share your impressions with the participants in the exhibit.
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.