-I'm a crafty mama who has created something by hand and with lots of love using 1,400 stitches. I would be completely humbled if you could sponsor each stitch so that we can present a "virtually stitched" handmade gift and monetary donation to victims of domestic violence-

-More on this:

For many, the recent presidential election has brought the topic of physical and sexual abuse against women to the forefront of conversations. I, too, have felt compelled to speak out against such violence and support those who have been victimized in my community. I understand that if I want to help end violence, taking small positive steps in my local area can have a drastic impact over time, across the country. You may live in my neighborhood, live in the West Coast or even on the other side of the world. But I hope you can offer even a small gesture, whether in an encouraging comment, your hard earned dollar or a share across your social media accounts to help fund programs that protect and heal survivors of domestic violence. In return, I offer a full and swelled heart, my friendship, my support and my ear in whatever cause is near and dear to you.

When one considers domestic violence, the image of a battered woman tends to come to mind. Though this is often the case, an overlooked or forgotten set of victims includes children. Growing up, I personally heard and witnessed several incidents that included screaming and physical violence within my family. It was terrifying and emotionally traumatic. As a child, I felt powerless. I felt a strong responsibility to pack up my sister and our things and run away. The negative impact from that time still affects me today within my relationships and my own abilities to handle anger.

-Here are some other ways that domestic violence impacts children-

According to Citizens Opposed to Domestic Violence (CODA), "Children raised in violent homes are more prone to bed-wetting, sleep problems, withdrawal, aggression, failing grades, attempts to please excessively, exaggerated fear, anxiety, depression and other disorders. Children often try to “parent” the parent, taking charge of household duties or younger siblings. They may worry about the parent’s safety while they are at school or otherwise away from home and thus unable to protect the parent. Their childhood is robbed as they become little adults. Children in abusive homes are likely themselves to be injured as they try to intervene to protect a parent or are accidentally hurt in the fray. Furthermore they are more at risk for abuse themselves as studies report 50% of men who frequently assault their wives also abuse their children. The residual confusion and anger as well as the tendency to identify with the abuser can pave the way for violent behavior in adulthood. Without intervention, boys who have witnessed domestic violence are more likely to be abusive in adult relationships. Girls can become aggressive themselves as adults or, more commonly, accept their own victimization in abusive relationships, perpetuating violence into the next generation."

-CALL TO ACTION-

Because I enjoy sewing and have recently taken up hand-stitching, I created wall art using appliqued and quilting techniques, to be donated to my local domestic violence shelter. My hope is that this piece can be used as decoration and to show the solidarity between survivors and our community of humanitarians. The piece was made with upwards of 1,400 stitches done by hand, worked on every night, for a week! I only pricked myself with the needle 700 times (just kidding, but seriously, it was a lot). In an ideal world, I would love if every stitch was "sponsored" for $1 as a way for our humanitarian community to have "virtually stitched" this piece together. However, anything would be appreciated! This piece started out with many tattered and stringy scraps. Some pieces were even made from scraps of canvas drop cloth. This represents how a person feels when they are violated: ugly, worn, stripped pieces of unwanted scraps. But from there, the surrounding community, together with the survivor works to pull away the frayed edges of the fabric and then carefully, stitches each broken piece together with their own tired and aching hands. The needle is so sharp stabbing through the broken pieces and sometimes we get poked and bleed. But out of this collective work, this healing, survivor's broken pieces start to come together reemerging as something beautiful, imperfect, but beautiful, empowered and loved.

-WHO WE ARE HELPING-

The money raised by friends, family and generous strangers will be given to Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse (CODA), a non-profit organization offering free services to women and children survivors of domestic violence. Services include shelter, court accompaniment, activities and play area for children, educational courses for mothers and children, information and referral services to any community victim of violence (including men), domestic violence outreach and awareness training to the public, violence prevention courses to boys and girls in schools, and much more. CODA is located in Beaufort, SC and covers 2,800 square miles across 4 counties.

Thank you for empowering me to impact my community, in a big way. Right now, I'm just doing the stay-at-home mom thing, but loving it! Thus, I'm not wealthy. And I'm only a small person in my community. So, it's difficult for a someone like me to make a large impact in my community. But having support of far-away friends like you, motivates and encourages me to try. Please stay in touch and perhaps we can all help each other with more virtual projects in each of our communities in the future. There is great power in numbers.

With so much gratitude and love,

Jennifer Pierce

Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse

Fundraising Campaigns

1,400 Hand Stitches for Healing - A fundraiser to benefit Citizens Opposed to Domestic Violence

CODA Race4Love