Springing Into Action: Updates from Common Threads Project
The year is off to a strong start at Common Threads Project. Across our program sites, facilitators and participants are hard at work in the process of healing:
New circles have begun in Kathmandu, New York, and Seattle, with more starting soon.
In Ecuador, D.C., Poland, and Ukraine, we’ve been forging connections and strengthening partnerships, planting seeds and preparing for continued work in the coming months.
Participants from across our programs have had the opportunity to be heard as their textiles are exhibited in New York and Nepal.
Read on to learn more about what we’ve accomplished together and how you can take further action to support our mission. And if you’d like to stay up to date on future CTP news, subscribe to our mailing list.
Nepal
Sajha Dhago marks its first anniversary as an independent Nepali organization this month! There is much to celebrate about their achievement.
Several circles have been reaching their healing goals in Kathmandu. A circle at Saathi Santha, a shelter for women affected by domestic violence has just completed its first 14 sessions. In another part of the city, stigmatized women (those who have been abandoned by spouses, widowed, or ostracized due to the suicide of a family member) gather together for their program. Another circle serves teens at a residential school for youth affected by trafficking.
In a circle that supports members of Kathmandu’s queer community, a participant said:
“We were able to share our stories and form a bond, unlike others. We found a safe space to share our feelings and this led us to understand each other and support each other. I believe my story cloth represents other stories as much as mine. I believe I am not alone anymore.”
As part of International Women’s Day in March, Sajha Dhago hosted a program of speakers and an exhibition of story cloths from five healing circles that recently completed their sessions. More than 200 people, including many government officials and community leaders, gathered to celebrate their trauma healing work. The deputy mayor of Kathmandu presided and said she plans to collaborate with Sajha Dhago for future mental health programs in the city.
New York
Three circles have launched at our NY partner, Sanctuary for Families. Skilled clinicians who have been trained by CTP are leading circles for a diverse group of survivors of gender-based violence.
One circle, led by senior clinicians Dr. Allison Ross and Dr. Mariama Diallo, has participants from China, Russian, Burkina Faso, Morocco, the US, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Philippines.
Two of the circles are conducted in Spanish; one in lower Manhattan is being led by art therapists Kimberly Neill and Keyra Carpio-Muller; another group is based in the Bronx, facilitated by Ines Caro and Mikiko Sawada.
Also in New York, a new circle will soon be launching for francophone West African women at Bellevue Hospital’s Program for Survivors of Torture. It will be led by senior psychologist Dr. Adeyinka Akinsulure-Smith and Dr. Rachel Cohen.
This story cloth was made by NY facilitator Keyra Carpio-Muller.
Seattle
On the other coast, the healing circle for Cambodian and Vietnamese participants continues to meet. Sukonthea Ok, Sorphorn Thoam, and Phuong Thi-Ngoc Nguyen, counselors at Asian Counseling and Referral Services, are facilitating the group. Participants have formed close bonds of support and are enjoying learning to stitch.
A circle at Refugees Northwest for Afghan refugees is set to begin after Ramadan toward the end of April.
This story cloth was made by a facilitator in Seattle: "I used Persian mythological creatures to convey the meaning in this story cloth. It is about war, discrimination, gender apartheid, poverty and the voices of generations who have been fighting against dictatorship."
We are delighted that Christie Schmid, a former clinical director at Refugees Northwest, is now coordinating our Seattle program. A graduate of CTP training, Christie also brings years of expertise and dedication as a therapist, supervisor and program director working with immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the Seattle area.
Ecuador
In February, Executive Director Rachel Cohen and Deputy Director Vesna Golic visited our original partner organization, the Federación de Mujeres de Sucumbios. They saw first hand the incredible community of care and belonging FMS has built for survivors of gender-based violence.
At their center, Puerta Violeta, Amparo Peñaherrera and her colleagues shared how the power of embroidery now permeates all aspects of their psychosocial work.
We are energized by this inspiring visit and excited to be taking our next steps together.
We are currently preparing to train a new cohort of CTP facilitators who will deepen the recovery process for survivors in Ecuador. Ultimately, they will develop a Center of Excellence for CTP methodology in the region.
Poland and Ukraine
The war in Ukraine will have a lasting impact for years to come. For Ukrainians who’ve remained and those who’ve had to flee, the psychological impact is immense.
Clinicians inside the country and in neighboring states are on the ground doing everything they can to help those in need. They not only face the overwhelming stress of working in an ongoing humanitarian crisis, but also have to deal with their own war trauma and displacement at the same time.
Common Threads Project has connected with organizations in Warsaw and Mariupol who are working on the front lines with trauma survivors.
Our first priority is to support these first responders with a program of managing extreme stress and burnout. Our faculty members Tally Tripp and Catherine Butterly are preparing a Care for the Carers program to offer ongoing support for Ukrainian and Polish staff beginning this summer.
As the situation stabilizes–and we pray this will be soon–the time will be right to work with local partners on developing a CTP trauma healing program.
Washington, D.C.
Our team of DC-based senior faculty are preparing to establish a program for asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants in the region. We’re developing partnerships with four DC area organizations who provide psychosocial services in diverse communities, including migrants from Central and South America, central Africa, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine.
Raising Awareness
Exhibition Launch
With the generous support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, we have produced an exhibit of story cloths from participants and facilitators around the globe. At the launch event hosted by LMTIF, more than 100 supporters gathered to bear witness to survivor’s stories and be part of their healing journeys.
We are grateful to Kalliopi Mingeirou (UN Women) and Mariama Diallo (Sanctuary for Families) for speaking at the event and sharing their perspectives on the work that must be done to address gender-based violence.
If you are in New York and would like to see the exhibition, sign up for a free, guided tour. If you can’t attend, you can view the digital catalog here.
Conferences
In March, Executive Director Rachel Cohen presented about the CTP approach at the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Centers symposium.
Director of Training Tally Tripp presented a full-day workshop to mental health clinicians at the Psychotherapy Networker Conference. The workshop was titled “Discovering the Artist Within: The Liberating Power of Creative Improvisation.”
In April, Tally held another workshop titled “Stitching Together: Narrative Textiles as a Creative Tool for Post Traumatic Growth” at the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
Ways You Can Support
Mother’s Day
It is not too early to start preparing for this Mother’s Day. What better way to honor someone than by helping a mother and her children have a brighter future? Our Common Threads healing circles are a safe space for mothers and their children alike. Your support to this process is essential to breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Artwork for Sale
Artist Lea Basile-Lazarus is one person taking action to support women and girls on their paths to healing. Her GRATEFUL series is currently for sale, and a portion of all proceeds from the collection will be donated to Common Threads Project.
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.
You can witness survivors’ testimonies and be a part of their healing journeys.
If you are in NY and would like to see our exhibit this spring, sign up for a tour. Otherwise, check out our digital catalog from the exhibition.
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.
Our Team
Changes on the Board
In 2023, we welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors: Cynthia Pacutho and Mary Luke. Cynthia brings immense expertise in nonprofit marketing and communications and an international perspective as someone living and working in Uganda. Mary has worked for 35 years managing women’s reproductive health programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and currently serves as the Vice President for UN Women USA. We are grateful to have Cynthia and Mary’s voices, experiences, and perspectives guiding us!
After six years, our founding board president Lynn Hiestand is stepping down from her officer role. We are immensely grateful for her extraordinary commitment and leadership over the years.
Founding board members Ann Blumeand Mary Matheron have taken on the role as our new co-presidents. Alex Aleinikoff is our new treasurer and Patty Friedman is our new secretary. We are grateful for their dedication to Common Threads Project.
