March 22, 2006

 

Survivor Aid--Dream to Reality

Thanks to everyone who has commented and e-mailed me about the Survivor Aid concert/event idea. We've really got some great ideas generating! Here are a couple more ideas I've been thinking about incorporating.

Haullie Free, who commented on the last post about her upcoming documentary project, Voices of Strength also worked on the music CD, Mindful Lullabies. It features artists such as Jen Woodhouse, Jason Spooner and Amy Fix and can be purchased here, at
Cafepress. All of the proceeds from the sale of this CD go to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Haullie says some of these artists may be interested in performing for Survivor Aid. Yeah!

I've been visiting the
PostSecret blogspot to view Frank Warren's depression and suicide awareness project. The postcard secrets are moving. An art exhibit like this could be a powerful addition to the art aspect of Survivor Aid. I plan on contacting Mr. Warren.

I also just heard about Michael C. Irving's
Child Abuse Survivor Monument. Hey, Holly and Survivor--this is a Canadian project. The goal is to have the monument tour Canada. Maybe we can bring it to the US and other countries as well.

And for our film festival, I'm researching more and more films made by and for survivors. At Leah's Life--
Survivor-Thriver blogspot, I found out about Nancy Schwartzman's film, Between Us. Thanks, Leah! We might also want to add Allison Anders' Things Behind the Sun and the movie, Speak that was created from Laurie Halse Anderson's book.

Let's keep these ideas coming! One final point for this post--I want to make it clear that my vision is not to exclude male survivors. I believe their need for awareness is even greater than for women. I put up a few male survivor ideas on the previous post. Any other ideas out there? Please comment and add them. If you've commented here and expressed an interest in being a part of Survivor Aid, you will be receiving a personal e-mail from me soon.

Comments:
Excellent idea for posts! Very helpful and informative. Keep up the great work!
 
Marj,

I just came across your blog and wanted to say how much I appreciate the work you are doing.
 
Wow, lots of ideas! I'm thankful for people like yourself who can help to make dreams a reality. If I think of anything, I will certainly let you know Marj.
xo
 
Hi Marj,
I have been thinking about this idea of doing a calender first to get the support. The survivors could send artwork are poetry, quotes! The we put together a calender to sell. It's one way for everyone to submit something! And it lets everyone take part, with monies raised we can make the Survivor Aid more of a Reality!! This is something we can do much faster and easier with everyone's help! Chat soon Holly
 
What a wonderful blog! Yes, the more we speak out the better. As a professional writer I know the power of words. We can make a difference by sharing what we know, what we have been through, and the knowledge that we can not only survive abuse but thrive in spite of it. It isn't always easy but there is power in knowing that we can do so.
 
Hi Marj,
I somehow missed the calender idea but it sounds great. I know I would love to submit a handprint-or one of mypieces from my "regular" work
I'm going to DC next week, to the Corcoran and thought I would talk to some of my old professors to see if they know of artist that were abused as children. I may be able to get some ideas from them , I'll let you know.
Blessings, Jodi
 
Matt: thanks! Coming from you I take that as quite the compliment. I consider you a real charity guru!

Marcella--Glad you found the blog and I appreciate you, too!

Psychbaby--Please, do let me know if you think of anything and thanks for visiting.

Holly--Hmmm. I used to work for the ad agency that used to do the "Bear-But-Not-Naked" calendar for the Chicago Bears. It was always a success. I'll be e-mailing you.

April--Thanks for your sentiments. That's something I really want to see happen--survivors getting EMPOWERED!

Jodi--Have a great trip. Thanks for talking to folks in DC--yeah!
 
Hi Marj, I came by last night & must've tried to post over 5 times, but Blogger was messed up. I want to tell you I think this is a wonderful blog & undoubtedly serves a desperately needed purpose. I hope you are totally blessed for doing this.
Thank you for visiting my blog & taking the time to leave a comment.
 
Jane--Thanks for working so hard to leave your comment. I may be looking into another commenting vehicle soon, since Blogger doesn't seem to be clearing up much.
 
You are a mover and a shaker!
 
Hi hon,

This is Ashley-Michelle from Pandy's and I wanted to let you klnow that I think what you're trying to do is really great.

I don't know how many famous survivors will be willing to jump on board, but here is a list of some celebrities who have gone public about their sexual victimization.

1. Tori Amos
2. Marie Osmond
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. Drew Carey
5. Alice Sebold
6. Ellen DeGeneres

I don't know how I can help, but I want to. Please consider e-mailing me at TabloidScully@yahoo.com and letting me know what I can do.

Thank you for doing this.

Sincerely,
Ashley-Michelle
 
Hi, Marj--

I couldn't find your email, so I'm posting here to let you know that I just wrote about your wonderful blog and put up a link on mine:

http://strongattheheart.com/blog/

Thanks for the great site and discussion.

Carolyn
 
I wear a silicone bracelet. It says SURVIVOR

I had it specially made.

People ask me what it means and when I (sometimes) tell them, they want one too.

As another way to raise awarness, we could consider having these bracelets made and selling them to raise money for this cause and put it towards making this a reality.
 
Dr. Deb--Thanks for the compliment, it means a lot coming from you! Your work moves & shakes, too!

Ashley-Michelle--I will definitely be e-mailing you. Thanks for adding to our celebs list.

Carolyn--Thanks for the link at your site. I want to encourage everyone to visit your site--the work you are doing is very empowering!

Survivor--I like the bracelet idea for this. That's so cool that you had your own made. Maybe we could piggy-back onto a group who already has production & distribution set up, like at www.pandys.org.
 
Hi Marj,
Waiting for the email ok!
 
As I said on Pandy's....

I don't really know her as a friend or anything but I've been in touch with Alice Marie (http://alicemarie.net) a bit and she may be interested in participating. Also, there's a dance company called Innermotion (http://innermotion.org) that does performances and workshops to help people heal through movement. Survivors Art Foundation (http://survivorsartfoundation.org)and Darkness to Light (http://www.darkness2light.org) might be other things to check out.

And, I did a little more research and found a few more "celebrity" abuse survivors (I did not thoroughly check them out so I can't guarantee accuracy):

Anne Heche
Carlos Santana
Delta Burke
Derek Luke
Fran Drescher
Gabrielle Union
Henry Rollins
Jonathan Davis
Kelly McGillis
Marilyn Manson
Mary J. Blige
Missy Elliot
Pamela Anderson
Roseanne
Rose McGowan
Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie Perez
Sinead O'Connor
Sophie B. Hawkins
Tina Turner
Toni Childs

I don't know if that information is going to do any good, of course, because who knows who might actually be willing to help, right?

Anyway, that's all for now.

Jess
 
Holly--I want you to know I think you are awesome! And an e-mail is coming your way today, I promise.

Jess--Wow! Thanks for your time and effort with this initial research. Yes, I've thought of Survivors Art Foundation--they would be a great resource for poets and artists. Thanks for the Innermotion idea--I like it! Of the celeb survivors you mention, I've also heard of: Delta Burke, Fran Drescher, Henry Rollins, Marilyn Manson & Rosie Perez as being survivors. I'm fairly sure of Anne Heche, Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige, Roseanne Barr, Rosie O'Donnell & Sinead O'Connor. Thanks!

Let's keep building this list. The more celeb survivor names we can generate, the more we can pull from! Yeee Haaa! My excitement level is still up there--thanks, everybody!
 
Hi Pat,
I going to add you to my links, great work! Take care in your healing!
 
Hi my name is Cathy and I am a survivor as well. I have been working on putting together a rally here in DC for survivors and their families. I think it is time that we come out and say it is time to get the attention on the problem of child abuse and child sexual abuse.

Some of the other things that I was thinking should be included in a rally is work by survivors. I belong to several Yahoo groups for survivors and one of them is for survivors to submit work such as poetry etc.

Feel free to contact me at:
catphil74@yahoo.com
 
Cathy: Thanks for your interest. Unfortunatley, I am not currently in a position to start up a non-profit to do this. There is an event in West Virginia each summer--and some people organizing it--that/who you might consider getting involved with. They feature a lot of survivor art and their website is www.healingthroughcreativity.org

I will e-mail you with this info as well.
 
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