Supporting Healing Through Awareness and Action
To fund the project, we are hosting two fundraisers (summer and winter) to raise awareness and support for the Walking Alongside Trauma initiative, which explores the profound impacts of vicarious traumatization of sexualized violence (VTSV) on individuals and society at large.
Our goal is to highlight the experiences of those who directly engage with survivors’ trauma, such as counselors, healthcare providers, and family members. The funds raised will be instrumental in documenting our findings, compensating exhibition artists, providing on-call therapeutic support during the exhibition, promoting awareness about VTSV, and offering meaningful honorariums to project participants. Your contribution will help foster a more empathetic and informed community response to sexualized violence trauma.
Summer Fundraiser (08.26.24)
The WAT Summer Fundraiser, organized by Qwisun Yoon-Potkins and supported by CCBC Staff, Alex Montes and Charlinee Wichaidit, took place at the Flamingo Room on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. The event was well-attended and featured a musical performance by guitarist, Lenny Pallerstein and an engaging silent auction that highlighted the talents of material artists and fostered connections among attendees.
Qwisun opened the evening with a welcoming talk, followed by Debra Sloan, who elaborated on the iMPACTS project and the Walking Alongside Trauma initiative. Deb discussed the significance of creation as a means to express the effects of sexual violence within communities, particularly focusing on the impact on witnesses of such trauma. The upcoming exhibition will showcase works from 12 BC material artists who have collaborated with 12 witnesses, emphasizing ethical practices and sensitivity in their workshops.
Attendees were invited to get involved and attend the WAT exhibition premiering at Douglas College in January 2025, with a subsequent exhibition at McGill University in March 2025. The evening successfully fostered networking and deeper interest in the iMPACTS project.
Notable contributions to the auction included workshops by artists Deborah Dumka, Debra Sloan, Hope Forstenzer, and Eleanor Hannan, along with offerings from the Craft Council of BC, such as a gift certificate for their Shop & Gallery and various coaching sessions such as CCBC contributed a gift certificate for the CCBC Shop & Gallery, Entertainment Industry Coaching session with Tiera Skovbye, Virtual Fitness Training from B Fit Health and Wellness and a gift certificate for one night at the Riverside Plus Cabin from Sunwolf.
Overall, the event raised $700.40, marking a successful evening of engagement and community building.
Winter Fundraiser (Coming Soon!)
Stay tuned for more information!