A Window Between Worlds is one of those rare organizations that works to help a cause as well as enhance the aesthetic value of the world. In helping battered women and children express themselves through creative means, A Window Between the Worlds hopes to provide them with a sense of power and to make domestic violence a thing of the past.  The creations made by these people serve as a means for public education about domestic violence as a whole, thus creating the name of the organization as a window into the lives of these strong survivors.  

The nonprofit has been around since 1991 and has helped over 49,500 battered women and children express themselves through art in outreach centers, crisis shelters and transitional homes throughout the country since. Their art workshops focus on healing and hope, rekindling the spirit of so many people who are used to feeling hopeless. Safety in relationships, as well as self-worth, is also emphasized. “

According to AWBW, “Art empowers survivors to transform how they view themselves, allowing them to see past the abusive messages they learned from their batterers and rebuild self-confidence.” Surely the nearly 2 million people battered by a partner every year could benefit from such a program.

Indeed, science has proven that art has healing powers. It can actually change human attitude and physiology. During the creation or enjoyment of art, stress in the body lessons into a state of relaxation. Fear shifts to creativity, and the simple act of creating art or listening to music will even change a person’s brain wave pattern. This affects brain neurotransmitters, hormonal balance and the nervous system in general. Even the immune system, pain perception, emotional state and blood flow are changed.

Knowing all of this, I have to wonder how we can allow arts and music programs to be cut from schools that still insist upon having their sports programs? Certainly there is value in sports to an extent, but there is also violence in many of them; surely the healing value of the arts has a better place in the growth and development of young people and their relationships? Perhaps we could even prevent so much domestic violence from occurring by simply mandating that everyone take an art class every year!

Any agency or organization is welcome to use AWBW as a tool for healing. If your local shelter or center has never heard of it, feel free to pass the word on and help people heal through art. You can contact them at (310) 396-0317 or info@awbw.org.