A little over a year ago, Lucy Tschachtli, a dedicated social worker at Haven House, noticed that clients were looking for more ways to be creative. Having led Haven House’s Art Empowerment Group for years, Lucy already knew how powerful creative expression could be for survivors of domestic violence.
When clients began asking for specific crafts like crochet that weren’t part of the Art Empowerment Group, Lucy saw an opportunity, and “Craft with Me” came to life.
Held in the shelter once a week, “Craft with Me” is open to all survivors. The group is very casual, creating a space where creativity is encouraged, and the focus is having fun. Each month, Lucy puts together a calendar of crafts inspired by what clients are interested in exploring. This includes everything from crocheting to origami to watercolor painting.
“Everyone really enjoys it,” Lucy shared. “Some make time in their schedule to come every week, others stop in when they see something they want to make.”
Unlike more formal therapeutic art programs, “Craft with Me’” is intentionally relaxed. “Sometimes I’m learning right along with them,” Lucy said smiling. The shared experience creates space for conversation, encouragement and reflecting with each other.
“It gets clients together, doing something positive,” said Lucy. “Groups like this allow people to share and learn from each other.”
The true impact of “Craft with Me” extends well beyond the art. For these survivors of domestic violence, it’s a chance to learn problem-solving skills, express themselves and build confidence through creativity.
Thanks to Lucy’s commitment to providing creative outlets, survivors continue to discover new sides of themselves through every craft and conversation.