Since 1991, Cathy Salser’s A Window Between Worlds (Windows) has been helping people from all walks of life who are victims of domestic violence by offering art programs in shelters as a way of helping the survivors process the trauma they have experienced. Now, due to the efforts of Palisadians Pam Douglas and Adele Carter, a workshop will begin in Pacific Palisades beginning Thursday, January 24, using art to help women cope with domestic violence. The monthly program will last for six months. ’It’s very challenging,’ Salser told the Palisadian-Post. ‘Upper-class communities are underserved, and there are not generally a lot of wealthy woman who are seeking services.’ This phenomenon causes a lot of isolation for the victim, and has led local houses of worship to regard domestic violence as a serious issue. ’Many victims of domestic violence suffer through the abuse in secret, hiding their physical and emotional pain from everyone,’ said Monsignor Liam Kidney of Corpus Christi. ‘The victim often feels trapped in the situation because to report domestic violence means a possible loss of spouse, income and their home. To report the violence can, literally, ruin their lives. ’The dream would be to move from this secrecy to raising an awareness of the issue and how we can help victims and survivors get the chance to change their lives.’ The two leaders of the workshop, Douglas and Carter, are both longtime Palisadians. Initially, it was Adele’s idea to have one in the neighborhood, despite her lack of experience. ’I feel that domestic violence has nothing to do with money,’ Carter said. ‘Someone once told me that I’d be surprised who comes to UCLA with domestic abuse’ [injuries].’ Douglas got on board quickly. Though she has known Salser for at least a dozen years, and has helped out at Windows with fundraising and in other ways, it wasn’t until she took a training class several months ago that she became more hands-on. The class gave her the ability to lead the Palisades workshop. The stories Douglas heard during the training class affected her in a profound way. ‘This was the first time it ever hit me what an impact the program has on so many people,’ she said. ‘It is powerful.’It has a lot of work and heart put into it. The people who have developed these workshops have done amazing healing with them.’ Windows workshops number over 450 across the country, and utilize a variety of themes and tools. Often victims of domestic violence keep it to themselves and never share with anyone, even when the violence may have happened long ago. ‘It takes a huge amount of strength to change your life,’ said Salser, a native Palisadian. ’It is my hope that we can use these workshops to allow the women to open up and start their healing journey. We’ll be there with them,’ Douglas said. ’We do not give advice, therapy or counseling,’ Douglas continued. ‘I’m not qualified for that. To me, that’s not what the program is about. The workshops allow these women to tell their story.’ The upcoming group will be the first time Carter and Douglas have worked together. Douglas, a native of Alabama, was a stock market analyst before moving to Los Angeles nearly 20 years ago. She has lived in the Palisades for 12 years with her husband, George, a financial manager in Beverly Hills, and has spent many years volunteering in the nonprofit world. She currently works with a group of women who are in a shelter for addictions, where she implements Windows art programs. In the past, she has referred victims of domestic violence in the Palisades to OPCC in Santa Monica for guidance. Carter grew up in West L.A. and is a former News Desk editor for People magazine. The University High School graduate went to art school and has lived in the Palisades since 1985. She is married to Rick, an Academy Award-winning production designer for films. A friend suggested she would enjoy volunteering at Windows, and Carter remembers feeling excited when a Windows client came in and saw a piece of her artwork on a wall with fellow domestic violence survivors. Working in shelters is also rewarding for Douglas. ‘You love the people when you’re there, you send them out and you know you’ve done the best you can do,’ she says. ‘It’s amazing how they continue to heal over the month between meetings. That’s my hope and my prayer for this project in the Palisades.’ For those afraid to attend the workshops because they’re not artistic, Douglas has this to say: ‘It’s not about the finished product. It’s about the journey.’ The group will be held in an undisclosed location, and is open to all. For information contact artforhealing@awbw.org.
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