JACKSON, Wyo. — This August, the Community Safety Network (CSN) is hosting letter writing events for community members wanting to share a note to a domestic violence survivor for its “Dear Survivor” exhibit. The collection of anonymous, supportive messages will be put on display in Teton County Library’s gallery space for the entire month of October, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Letters, drawings, poems, paintings, postcards — anything that can be displayed and conveys a message of support — will be included in the exhibit.
“We invite everyone to write a note, a greeting card, a letter or post card with a supportive message beginning with ‘Dear Survivor,'” CSN Executive Director Shannon Brooks Hamby said in the announcement. “The message can be as simple as ‘you’re not alone’ or as long and detailed as you like. If you are a survivor yourself, what do you wish someone said to you, in the depths of your experience with abuse? Or maybe someone did say something that sticks with you – please feel free to share that message with other survivors.”
CSN will hold letter writing events for those who would like to take part in the creative process. The first letter writing event will be held on Thursday, August 8 at Phil Baux Park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner, dessert and beverages will be provided. Additional letter writing events will be held later in August, dates to be announced. CSN will also be at the August 21 People’s Market and Old Bill’s Fun Run with letter-writing materials.
CSN is offering portable drop boxes and extra materials to businesses or organizations that would like to gather notes and letters.
“Too often, people who are experiencing domestic violence feel shrouded in fear, shame and guilt, further isolating them from their support systems,” Hamby said. “With this exhibit, we hope to show survivors that our community loves and supports them unconditionally.”
The CSN will host a reception to celebrate and view the exhibit at Teton County Library on Monday, October 7.
In unable to attend a letter writing event, notes can also be sent directly to CSN at P.O. Box 1328, Jackson, WY 83001 or emailed to adrian@csnjh.org.
