Womanshelter/Compañeras & Survivor Theatre Project Team Up to End Sexual Violence!

By: STP Co-Director, Leila Zainab

Survivor Theatre Project (STP) thrives in partnership with an abundant network of community organizations and agencies committed to social justice. For years, STP has partnered with a variety of organizations that work at numerous intersections to fight for justice, stand up for vulnerable communities, and shed light on issues affecting sexual violence survivors. We believe that building strong and supportive community networks is the nexus of our movement’s sustainability and growth. It is because of these partnerships that STP can bring our original performances to communities that desire to expand their reach on issues relating to sexual violence, rape culture, and the arts. We team up to develop a cultural event that accommodates the community’s unique needs. These partnerships are always fruitful and inspiring as we work together to create a collective vision to end violence and support survivors through the arts.

We are deeply grateful to weave with organizations that have welcomed us into their community spaces with open arms. Womanshelter/Compañeras has been that organization for us. Womanshelter/Compañeras is a domestic violence agency located in western Massachusetts. They are committed to supporting their participants, many whom are survivors of sexual assault in their intimate partner relationships. In the Fall of 2016, Womanshelter/Compañeras hosted performers from STP, and dozens of regional groups for their annual “Purple Light Nights” event to honor the lives lost to domestic violence, and light a torch for survivors of violence everywhere.

Womanshelter/Compañeras Community Educator, Carmen Nieves shared that “our collaboration with STP is an extension of our mission to bring awareness and healing to communities. STP is not just a valued partner, they enrich and enhance the work that Womanshelter/Compañeras does."

Womanshelter/Compañeras serves women, men and children throughout western Massachusetts, with outreach focused in Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, Southampton, Monson, Palmer, Ware, South Hadley, Belchertown and Granby. Womanshelter/Compañeras is also a safe place for refugees and immigrant families across the region; hosting bilingual programs in Spanish, Russian, and English. It is an honor to be in partnership with such a sensational team of organizers!

This Spring, Womanshelter/Compañeras and STP are coming together to create a community space for survivors and allies to experience a powerful performance and engage in open dialogue about the cycles of violence in the western Massachusetts area. On May 18th, 2017 at 6:30pm at Holyoke City Hall, we will join in community to uplift a message of resistance and resilience for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. STP’s Touring Company’s performance, “ROAAARRR! A Beautiful Anger” is a show that connects music, percussive rhythms, spoken word, and raw emotion to encourage audiences to reflect on how sexual violence survivors thrive in a world that attempts to silence our rage.

Need another reason to support transformative community organizations this #ValleyGives day on May 2nd? Please consider supporting Womanshelter/Compañeras and Survivor Theatre Project; two organizations committed to uplifting survivors, advocating and educating communities about the cycles of violence & strategizing ways to end and protect communities against abuse. Without organizations like Womanshelter/Compañeras and STP, survivors are invisibilized, and our experiences erased. Help us sustain this important community building effort to promote safe space for survivors to express, grow, heal, and thrive. Make a tax deductible donation on May 2nd #ValleyGives day!

Stay tuned for the donation link on May 2nd