This week we present the third and final installment in a series of blog posts previewing this year’s “Survivor Artist” platter for the Reach for the Stars Gala. In previous posts we’ve told you about art therapy at REACH (why and how we do it) and a special volunteer who plays a crucial role in making all of the artist platters happen for the Gala each…
So much has happened since our last update! At that time, we were still awaiting our building permits and living very much in the hypothetical – examining the designer’s renderings, comparing flooring samples, looking at photographs of furniture. But as you read this, permits have been pulled, demolition has happened, and things are in motion! What’s taking shape now is about much more than our new…
As the school year gets into full swing, that means a couple of things for those of us here at REACH. First – backpacks! We are so grateful to our generous donors and to School on Wheels of Massachusetts for helping us assemble and distribute more than 200 backpacks to children of domestic violence survivors. Now that the mountains of backpacks around the office have dwindled…
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, as our name implies, is an organization committed to addressing and preventing domestic violence. So why do we talk about social justice so much? Why is it included in our mission statement, which ends, “…promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds”? Why talk about race, or immigration, or LGBQ/T issues? Traumatic events, whether “man-made” or “natural,” disproportionately affect those…
Last month, we presented the first in a series of blogs to preview the survivor plate from this year’s upcoming Reach for the Stars Gala. Several people come together to make this special piece of artwork happen. The first person was Catalina, our Child and Adolescent Therapist, and we told you about her important work doing art therapy. The second person involved in this process is…
In the midst of difficult times, we want to update you on our ‘big move’ and thank you so much for your support. We shared the beginning of our move process back in June and will continue to share updates as work progresses. We hope you saw the photo from the Cummings Foundation celebration back on June 8. Our Executive Director Laura R. Van Zandt was…
“We don’t even need words, we go straight to where the memory is stored.” This is how REACH’s Child and Adolescent Therapist, Catalina, describes the work she does through art therapy with children. The Art Therapy Alliance defines art therapy as “the deliberate use of art-making to address psychological and emotional needs, facilitated by an Art Therapist. Art therapy uses art media and the creative process…
If you’re familiar with REACH, hopefully you know that we try to offer the best support possible to domestic violence survivors by being knowledgeable about, and sensitive to, the effects of trauma. But have you ever wondered how our advocates come to understand so much about trauma? Or how domestic violence advocates avoid burnout? How do they hear difficult stories day in and day out without…
We are looking forward to sharing updates about our move project as it proceeds. It was fun to make and share the video we produced about how much we need this space. Have you seen it? If you have been to our current office recently, you know that we are busting at the seams. If you haven’t, the video tells the story. REACH is working with…
REACH’s work with immigrant survivors of domestic violence is nothing new. We have deep roots in Waltham, a diverse community with one of the largest and fastest-growing Latinx populations in the state. We are proud to serve any and all survivors, regardless of where they come from, how they got here, or what their immigration status is. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their…
