Celebrating Survivors Goes Virtual
Women In Transition helps a lot of people when they’re in the thick of it. But what does it look like to thrive after domestic violence or substance abuse?
Every October, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIT’s Survivor’s Network hosts “Celebrating Survivors,” an uplifting event where past and present clients enjoy an evening of food, friendship, and karaoke. This year, instead of trying to make “zoom karaoke” work, we hosted “Thriving After Surviving: An Invitation To Your Future”, a facilitated conversation between longtime and newer survivors.
Twenty-five current and former clients attended, and six Survivor’s Network members shared their stories of self-discovery and self-empowerment. What does thriving mean? What does life after domestic violence or substance abuse look like? What can newer clients expect?
Thriving looks different for every survivor. For one, it looks like focusing on her tennis game to recover her physical health. For another, it means getting more involved in her church. For a third, thriving looks like working toward financial independence. WIT’s Executive Director Corinne Lagermasini said, “It was a wonderful mosaic that reminded me that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming domestic violence or substance abuse. And, our clients are wildly talented!”
The evening ended with the creation of a “thriving vine” where all participants could share their reflections. And of course, it wouldn’t be Celebrating Survivors without an annual tradition: singing “We Are Family” together, as one.