Clothesline Project – The Golden Women’s Resource Centre is launching its annual Clothesline Project on April 3. The project is in recognition of British Columbia’s Prevention of Violence Against Women Week.
For two weeks, starting on April 3, there will be shirt decorating supplies available during hours of operation at the women’s centre, giving survivors and victims of violence against women the chance to tell their stories through art.
The annual project encourages women and children who have experienced violence in some way to decorate a T-shirt, which will then be put on display on a clothesline at the barbecue on April 18.
“It’s a creative way to express yourself, and it’s an anonymous way. It’s an interesting way to display the community’s experience surrounding violence against women,” said women’s centre director Linley McLean before last year’s event.
“It’s a neat way to get people’s stories across in an anonymous way, and non-invasive way, and potentially a healing way for the people who are involved.”
There will be shirt decorating supplies at the centre, as well as space to create a shirt or other articles of clothing.
They have clothes available, or you can bring your own. You will also be able to take some supplies home to create your shirt. Support is available for anyone who might need someone to talk to throughout the process.
The barbecue (location to be determined) will be held on April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and will also be a fundraiser for the Golden Safe Home, with beverages and food available by donation.
The Prevention of Violence Against Women week is an initiative that raises awareness for a woman’s right to live free from violence, and encourages growth in programs that assist women fleeing violence, such as Golden’s Safe Home Program, Outreach services, Stopping the Violence Counselling, and Victim Services.
In Golden alone, the Safe Homes Program’s services were accessed 822 times in a one-year period, and the Safe Homes shelter was used 146 nights.
For more information, go to www.goldenwomencentre.ca.
