a non profit 501(c)3
Because of you, more kids are being protected,
more adult survivors served!
NAASCA has a single purpose, to address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect .. and we do so from two specific perspectives
:
- educating the public, especially as related to getting society over the taboo of discussing childhood sexual abuse, presenting the facts that show child abuse to be a pandemic, worldwide problem that affects everyone
- offering hope for healing through numerous paths, providing many services to adult survivors of child abuse and information for anyone interested in the many issues involving prevention, intervention and recovery
Building a survivor community ...
because
together we can do what we cannot do alone
.
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Welcome to the January 2018 Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to NAASCA's newsletter mailing list!
Please encourage others to stay in touch too.
'Creativity' - this month's newsletter theme
January is International Creativity Month
- Established by Randall Munson, a renowned motivational speaker, author, and entertainer.
- Focuses on acknowledging people who work in creative industries, showcasing cultural differences in creativity, encouraging "thinking-outside-the-box" to solve problems, and developing creativity to improve personal self and business success.
Significant Dates in January:
3rd is Unite Against Violence in Solidarity Day
- A day of no consumerism in protest to violence.
- For all the children, women, men, and families who are victims and survivors of sexual misconduct, exploitation, and the violence spectrum.
- #UnitedStandingAgainstSilence, #Punished4Protecting
27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day
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Creativity is Important to Healing for Survivors
Among other experts,
Linda Kreger Silverman, PhD
, Director of the Gifted Development Center in Denver, says survivors of abuse tend to be emotionally sensitive throughout life, and that kind of intensity and sensitivity can lead to passionate emotions like anger in response to abuse. Without an appropriate outlet for those negative emotions, survivors can develop unhealthy or even self-destructive behavior to try to cope. Without being able to express their personal experience of abuse, a person may become stuck and unable to break free from its impact on their life.
Any form of creativity, according to
this article
, has been proven to calm regions of the brain where trauma impacts survivors of child abuse most.
Another consequence of abuse for survivors is often a corrosion of self esteem, such as the false belief that "I am not a creative person." Every one of us is creative, but for some people creativity can be suppressed or blocked, especially if self expression was discouraged in childhood. In her
article about art therapy
,
Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, explains, "Art as a healing force does not come easy for those whose lives have been controlled, are accustomed to betrayal and punishment, and have learned self-hatred." But, she continues, "inevitably when it does, creativity and imagination restore a sense of possibility, identity, and reconnection with parts of the self that were silenced in order to survive the violence."
It is not about
if
you are creative or not, but about exploring to find an outlet that works for you, and developing your creativity by doing it. Creative expression can transform our painful reactions to traumatic situations, providing renewed strength of our identity and a way to give voice to difficult feelings. By using
creative expression you can nurture self-worth, resilience, healing, and even initiate social change.
Through making time to work on your creativity you will be able to:
Find your voice to speak your truth
Discover your passion and purpose
Build successful collaborations
Turn your gifts into positive action
Healthy coping for triggers and emotions
There are no limits to the ways you can access your creativity! Do what comes naturally to you, or consider taking a class in something that interests you. Connect with others who share your interests, such as in special interest groups on social media or in your local area.
There are free tutorials on
YouTube
, endless inspiration on
Pinterest,
and local groups on
Meetup.com
for just about anything you would want to start learning more about.
And of course we encourage you to share your creative outlets and projects with us on
NAASCA's public Facebook group
. Letting other survivors understand how you are using creativity in your life to overcome the past can be a powerful part of your healing journey and inspiring to others. As Cathy Malchiodi concluded,
"While survivors often feel shame in talking about abuse, talking about their artworks is an experience of finally coming home."
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Designed for your smart phone or tablet, our 'NAASCA-mobile.org' site carries most of the info, tools, services and resources that we have on our regular site, but display better on your mobile device.
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Monthly Spotlight On A Fabulous NAASCA Volunteer !
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In 2015 NAASCA officially became a non-profit charity. All NAASCA family members who participate by working on the effort are non-paid volunteers (including the Board of Directors and CEO). We want to highlight people who offer their skills and creativity by committing to specific tasks that make it possible for NAASCA to currently offer over
30 Entirely FREE Services
, programs, tools, resources, and social media efforts available to anyone, anywhere in the world, anytime.
This month we are delighted to share the creative collaboration of TWO of our
Primary NAASCA Volunteers
,
Mary Graziano who writes and manages NAASCA's blog for survivors of child abuse 'Together We Can Heal', and Michal Madison who creates original artwork and watercolor backgrounds for the blog.
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Meet Mary Graziano
(Ontario, Canada)
Mary is a survivor of child abuse whose involvement with NAASCA began as a listener of the Stop Child Abuse Now radio show. Later she began calling in as a panelist on the shows and engaging with members on the NAASCA Facebook page. Mary recently retired from a long career as an Educational Assistant with the Catholic School Board where she worked with special needs children. She enjoys fishing, traveling in her truck camper, drawing, writing, and reading, and she loves being outdoors in nature.
When asked what she enjoys most from her volunteer work with NAASCA, Carolin replied:
"
By posting positive prose, I have received messages from survivors thanking me, that it's what they needed to hear at that moment. That in itself is so rewarding, knowing that it helped someone who was in need of hearing supportive words.
"
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Mary discusses how creativity is important to recovery as a survivor of child abuse:
"
Many survivors as children only heard negativity. Often told they would amount to nothing, that they're stupid, worthless! This is what many believed to be true. It is far from the truth. Their abuser wanted them to believe this. Knowing that they could keep you in the dark, too afraid to tell! Being able to change their mindset brings about so many positive changes
"
"
Creativity has helped many of us heal, both on the inside and outside. It's a way to express ourselves, giving us a chance to finally have a voice, a voice that was silent for so many years." She continues, "
Personally, it has helped me be more positive. Creativity helps release all that we held in all these years, it's like letting the air out of a tire, the pressure is less.
"
To contact Mary about her work or the NAASCA blog, or just to reach out and say hello, send your emails to:
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Meet Michal Madison
(California, USA)
Michal is a survivor of child abuse who says she knows complete healing is possible. While she does not view herself as a direct volunteer for NAASCA, her work has given inspiration to all of our members and can be seen throughout the blog and frequently on our social media pages. Michal is a professional artist who loves listening to music, dancing, reading, and learning new things. She enjoys time hanging out and laughing with her friends. Other than offering her artwork for no fee to NAASCA, Michal donates 10% of every sale of her paintings to ChildHelp and the Make a Wish Foundation.
Michal shares how expressing herself creatively was important in her recovery as a survivor of child abuse:
.
"Art reveals the deepest parts of us where no words exist. Painting helped me access emotions that were buried deep in my psyche and bring them to the surface where they could be healed and released. When we shine a light on the darkest parts of our story it loses its power to haunt our lives. I believe art (in any of its forms) is a powerful healing tool."
In a recent interview with Luxury Chapters magazine, Michal stated she believes in empowering survivors of abuse with the message she needed to hear in her past:
"
You are not what has happened to you. You are not the abuse you endured. You are worthy of love. You are not the pain that is ravaging your body. You are worthy of perfect health. You are much more magical than you can imagine. You are pure unlimited potential. I love you, and I believe in you!
"
***
You can view Michal's incredible artwork by visiting her online gallery
Michal Madison Art
or contact her
via email at:
.
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Want to find out about some of the MANY different ways you can be a participating member of NAASCA?
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Have You Called-In to NAASCA's Radio Show Lately ?
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Live shows air
8 PM EST / 5 PM PAC
.
Listen in on Sunday for 'Community Matters,' and Monday-Friday for 'Stop Child Abuse Now' (SCAN).
Topics include public safety and child abuse prevention, intervention, and recovery as a survivor of child abuse with a special guest every Wednesday and Friday.
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We really want your call-in participation !
Your opinions matter to us and to those listening! We encourage ALL of our NAASCA Members to participate during the live shows by calling
(
646-595-2118)
You will never be asked to share more than you are comfortable with. If you want to call the number only to listen-in, this is perfectly acceptable too. This show is one of our great free services to support YOU, our NAASCA Family.
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Have You Heard of NAASCA's Ambassador Program ?
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NAASCA has many open positions for Volunteer Ambassadors in the Canadian provinces and the 50 US states! This position is very flexible for you to work within whatever time you have available. It is a great way to express your personal and professional creativity by sharing your ideas and talents while reaching out to other survivors.
Our Volunteer Ambassadors help NAASCA members find their way around our web site, referring people to our projects, tools, services, engage in our social media efforts, and will also be familiar with resources specific to their local area to provide upon request to NAASCA members.
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A Note from Our Founder and CEO:
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Healing from child abuse and trauma can be a very lonely journey .. but you'll never be alone again, a day at a time, if you don't want to be !!
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NAASCA belongs to no other group and receives no outside funding. We're self-supporting through our own members' voluntary contributions.
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Please consider a one time
or recurring donation
.
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Thanking you for all you do in the fight against child abuse and trauma and welcoming you to engage with your NAASCA family, I remain, as always,
Yours in service,
Bill Murray
, Founder and CEO
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse.
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