Healing through art
Creativity is an incredibly meaningful form of therapy. Allowing thoughts, feelings and emotions to manifest themselves artistically is an important part of the healing process for many.
We’ve adopted this form of therapy at Saint John’s thanks to the help of Dr. Mark, who volunteers his time every Friday to conduct an art therapy class for the women in our program. From this exercise comes beautiful and moving works of art, and an important and unique healing process.
Poetry as therapy
For those who prefer words to a paintbrush, like April T., writing is another powerful form of expression. April made the courageous move to Saint John’s Program after enduring 25 years of domestic violence.
Initially uncertain about her decision to enter the program, her children rallied around her – assuring their mom that they were all in it together. They were proud of her brave decision to create a better future for their family. Together, they work hard every day – putting the pieces back together and growing stronger as a team.
Finding motivation from Nemo
During the darker days, however, April and her daughter, Tazi, found comfort in an unlikely place – the Pixar film, Finding Nemo. The famous line from that movie, “just keep swimming”, became the motivation that carried April’s family through some of their toughest times.
When the family moved to Saint John’s, they were assigned a room at random. That room just so happened to be our Finding Nemo-themed room, with that special “just keep swimming” phrase painted on the very walls of the space they now called home! April and her children knew this was a sign from God – and that Saint John’s was exactly where they were meant to be.
April used the pain of some very difficult times, and the undying love of her children to create a stunningly powerful poem that serves as a reminder of the importance of the motto “just keep swimming”.
This poem represents exactly what we do at Saint John’s – empower women to reach their ultimate goal, a life free of poverty and dependence for themselves and their children. It’s never easy, but for those who “just keep swimming”, the reward is priceless.
April’s beautiful poem
JUST KEEP SWIMMING
I was like Nemo, the fish who was lost
Through all my trials, I forgot life’s cost
Physically abused, almost dying
I gave up on life and no longer applying
My daughter holding me tight as I hold back my cry
Whispering, “You gotta keep swimming. Come on Mommy, try”
It was on that day I saw a bright light
It felt as if God gave me the strength to fight
So here I am swimming in Saint John’s where God guided me to be
Teaching me to live life, I’m learning to love me
so now
I just keep swimming!!!
~April T.
Thanks to April for sharing her struggles and successes so eloquently, and for the courage it took to bare her soul in such an impactful way. Hopefully you’ll be able to apply April’s motto to your own life on those days that are a little tougher than others.
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