For those who feel embarrassed sharing their troubles with another person, a journal or diary can be a cathartic lifeline, and a group of Bethlehem High School students are using that idea to help victims of domestic violence begin a new chapter of their lives.
A new collaboration by art instructor Diane Segal and Unity House Director of Development Diane Cameron Pascone is aiming to teach students about the warning signs of domestic violence, while allowing them to give back to woman in need.
“It’s meaningful for these woman to get these journals from these girls. They were young once too and had similar dreams and aspirations. I think this project will work to form a unique connection between everyone involved.”
- Diane Cameron Pascone
“It’s been determined that those who journal are more likely to be connected to their emotions, and (it) helps develop problem-solving skills,” said Segal, who is doing the project for the first time in her Fashion and Design 101 course. “It helps to let go of negativity, focus on gratitude and work through difficult emotions and circumstances.”
Segal is a longtime friend of Pascone and often volunteers at Unity House, a Rensselaer County-based human services agency that assists victims of domestic violence, adults with mental illness and those living in poverty. Pascone said one of the first possessions woman receive when seeking assistance from the organization is a journal.
“It becomes very important to them because it is often one of the first things in a long time the women feel is entirely their own,” said Pascone. “A lot of times, these women go to the police or hospital and come to us with only the clothes on their back.”
The women of Unity House are encouraged to write in the journals on their own and are asked to use them during group writing exercises. Since Segal has used journaling for years as a medium for her artwork and often teaches different units on it in her classes, she felt a collaboration would be appropriate.
Prior to the lesson, Segal sent a letter out to parents explaining the project and asking for donations of journals. The students would then be decorating the front and back of the journals using a mixed-media, collaging method.
On Friday, Nov.1, Pascone gave a 20-minute presentation about Unity House and the warning signs of domestic violence to students before they began their art lesson with Segal. The class, filled with about 20 teenage girls, who learned how victims of domestic violence are often controlled by their partners and how often the cycles repeat.
“Many times, when woman come to us, they do go back to their abusers. It can take three or more times before they actually leave, and some never do,” said Pascone, explaining that some victims can find living on their own and facing the new challenges of everyday life to be overwhelming. “Some have never kept a checkbook before or may be confused about applying for a credit card so they feel it’s easier to go back.”
Pascone said the organization typically helps women between the ages of 25 and 45. To spread the word about their organization in a way that isn’t embarrassing for victims, the group will leave pamphlets small enough to hide in a shoe in places like the grocery store and nail salons. They also give out everyday items, like chip clips, with their phone number on it for easy access.
The students will work on their journals in class over the next month. Segal taught the class a special splatter technique for painting the covers. They will then be asked to find inspirational sayings and photos that will be placed on the journals in a collage style.
“It’s meaningful for these woman to get these journals from these girls,” said Pascone. “They were young once too and had similar dreams and aspirations. I think this project will work to form a unique connection between everyone involved.”
Segal said if the project is a success, she would like to see it expand. Not only would she be open to teaching the unit in her other classes, but she said she would be willing to go to other school districts to work with art teachers or do lessons with other community organizations.
“I have a lot of ideas about how to make this work, the problem in finding the extra hours in the day,” she said with a laugh.
Pascone said for others looking to contribute to Unity House, the organization is seeking donations and volunteers for their newly opened thrift store, ReStyle, at 2431 Sixth Ave., Troy. Monetary donations are also accepted on their website, www.unityhouse.org.