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A Window Between Worlds - Promising Futures
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PROGRAMS

A Window Between Worlds

Overview

Delivery Approach:
  • Group
  • Individual
  • Group & Individual
  • Dyadic
Delivery Format:
  • In-Person
  • Virtual
  • Hybrid
Provider Requirements:
  • Licensed/certified professional led
  • Survivor-Led
  • BIPOC Led
  • Peer-Led
  • DV/SA Advocate – Led
Type of Experience Addressed:
  • Domestic Violence
  • Child Abuse 
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Community Violence
  • Neglect 
  • Family Separation
  • Homicide/Familicide 
  • Substance Abusing Caregiver 
  • Natural Disasters 
  • Grief/Bereavement 
  • Criminal Victimization 
  • Refugee/Immigration
  • Reunification
  • Medical Trauma
  • Homelessness
  • Verbal/Emotional abuse
  • Mental Health Issues/Concerns
  • Mass shootings
  • Hate Crimes
  • Systemic/Interpersonal Racism
  • Historical trauma
  • Homophobia/Transphobia
  • Trafficking
Engagement Methods:
  • Somatic
  • Arts based
  • Experiential
  • Culturally Grounded
Level of Intervention:
  • Primary Prevention
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Tertiary Prevention
  • Intervention
Length:
  • Greater than 12 weeks
Setting:
  • School
  • Home 
  • Hospital-based
  • Residential 
  • Domestic Violence Shelter
  • Correctional
  • Homeless Shelter
  • Headstart and Early Education Programs
  • Day Care
  • Family service agencies
  • Health Services 
  • Foster Care 
  • Mental Health Setting
  • Community-based agency
Program Details:
Type of Services:

For over 30 years A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) has partnered with service providers who work with survivors of trauma to incorporate trauma informed, healing art workshops to support the work they do. We have partners who use the AWBW art workshops with the people they serve, their staff, volunteers, to further awareness and fundraising initiatives, and beyond. More than just a training, the AWBW program is an ongoing network of support where we learn from one another, share resources via our ever growing on-line curriculum and continue to grow year after year as a community.

Type of Provider:

A leader in creativity and mental wellness, AWBW supports hundreds of direct service organizations across the country to incorporate creative expression into their work with trauma survivors. AWBW’s training in facilitating art as a tool for transformation and healing, along with our library of curriculum and ongoing support, strengthens our program partners’ ability to better assist the individuals and communities they serve.

Program Setting:

AWBW partners with all service providers and community members working within any setting.

Length of Program/Number of sessions:

Art workshop facilitators are encouraged to explore what works best for their art program. AWBW honors and recognizes each facilitator knows what works best for them, their participants, and their agency.

AWBW continually hones and adds to our curriculum to provide collaborating programs with art workshops that best meet the needs of their specific population and setting. Our curriculum consists of over 600+ workshops searchable by age-level, art supply, emotional theme and more with links to tips, highlights, quotes and variations created by hundreds of Windows Facilitators.

Types of trauma addressed:

All forms of trauma.

Date Added/Updated:

7/25/2022

Population Served

Age:
  • Pre-natal
  • 0-5 (Early Childhood) 
  • 6-12 (Childhood) 
  • 13-17 (Adolescent) 
  • 18-25 (Young Adult) 
  • 25 and up (Adult)
Population Language:
  • English
  • Spanish
Ethnic Racial Group:
  • Asian
  • Black or African American
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Indigenous People – American Indian/Native American, Alaskan Native
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
  • White
Client/Audience:
  • Child and Non-abusive Parent/Caregiver
  • Child
  • Family
  • Grandparents
  • Parent who uses Violence
  • Survivor parent
  • Community
  • Foster/Adoptive Parents
Population Adaptations:

Since the beginning, AWBW has been committed to offering art as an equitable and inclusive tool to support everyone working to break cycles of violence and trauma. Additionally, over the past 5 years, our curriculum has grown to include culturally responsive workshops, and our trainings continue to expand on racism, oppression, and marginalization as forms of individual and intergenerational trauma. The AWBW program is inclusive of all cultures, religions, genders, classes, and sexual or affectional orientation.

Ethnic/racial and other groups served:

Art honors all aspects of peoples’ identity and their personal experiences of the world. AWBW’s program and philosophy emphasizes respect for each individual’s creative expression and that there are no “rules” for making art. Art activities are designed to be accessible to everyone.

Languages available:

Our training offerings are conducted in English. AWBW’s curriculum of healing art workshops are written in English with 70+ translated into Spanish.

Parent/adult caregiver included in intervention:

AWBW’s Facilitator Manual includes information on how to facilitate healing art workshops with families.  Our curriculum includes art workshops written specifically to provide families with an opportunity to bond, reconnect, find new ways to communicate and envision a healthy future.

Evaluation

Foundation:
Theoretical basis:

Evidence, resilience and trauma-informed model.

Creating art is a human right. Art honors and reflects multiple aspects of a person’s identity and personal experiences. No matter what our background, we all have the power to create —we just need to be offered the opportunity. The Windows Program provides this opportunity in a safe atmosphere to those impacted by violence and trauma.

The AWBW philosophy is grounded in the idea that the art workshops are a “Window of Time” — a safe, non-judgmental space where participants can authentically express their identity, hopes, dreams, experiences and truths. In this environment, participants can fully benefit from the process of creating art.

During a Windows workshop there is no right or wrong way. Whatever supports participants in expressing, connecting and attending to their needs and feelings is the number one priority. The Windows workshops are an opportunity for participants to practice how they want to live in the world. This includes asking for what they need and choosing to share as much or as little as they want.

Outcome indicators:

Windows Facilitators are invited to submit workshop logs to capture quantitative and qualitative data. The logs provide facilitators with a way to debrief after each art session, to continually re-examine their approach, and to learn from their experiences. At the conclusion of each year, facilitators submit an annual evaluation summarizing program accomplishments and its usefulness in their clients’ overall healing process.

Evaulation Studies:

At the end of 2021, 321 active Windows Facilitators filled out annual evaluations to assess the usefulness of the art process in supporting children’s healing.

Feedback from 321 active Windows Facilitators indicated:

  • The art workshops helped participants feel more positive about their future. 91%
  • The art workshops helped participants build resilience. 94%
  • The art workshops helped build and improve adult-child relationships. 72%
  • The art workshops helped build and improve relationships between participants and others in their lives. 84%
  • The art workshops helped participants build a sense of self-efficacy and agency. 90%
  • The art workshops helped strengthen adaptive skills and self-regulatory capacities. 91%

 

 

 

Published results:

Published pieces of research that speak to the efficacy of AWBW programming:

Pilot or evaluation studies in progress:

Yes, through Indiana University.

Rated/Reviewed by Evidence Based Registries:

This intervention was not rated by the registries/databases we reviewed.

Training & Resources

Training Language
  • English
Training Available:
  • Yes
Training Details:

The first step in becoming involved with AWBW is to attend a facilitator training. Our signature 2 Day Facilitator Training is experiential and immersive, empowering trainees to lead someone through the creative process from their lived experience rather than a theoretical perspective.  With hands-on creative workshops as well as didactic training modules, participants often experience pivotal “ah ha” moments that go well beyond simply learning a new skill. This training truly prepares trainees to integrate the healing arts into their lives and work in a tangible way.

What trainees experience:
  • Presentations by licensed clinicians and subject-matter experts with discussions on trauma-informed care, intersectionality, cultural responsiveness, and oppression as a form of trauma
  • Hands-on art workshops, giving you the opportunity to experience healing through creative expression as a participant which better prepares you to serve others
  • Time to envision together ways art can support healing and invite change
  • A deeper understanding of the creative process, and how to build safety and connection with your participants so they feel heard and understood
  • Tips for facilitating with different age groups, including working with families
  • Ideas for using easily accessible art supplies
  • Introduction to the AWBW model and resources available to you, including ongoing enrichment trainings, affinity groups and more

For those unable to attend a live training, we also offer an abbreviated on-demand training option. Conducted via videos and art workshop worksheets, the on-demand version allows participants to move through the training modules at their own pace, anytime, anywhere via our easy to use virtual learning platform.

PLUS, both trainings include these ongoing benefits:awbw.org/benefits. Note: If you wish to train others at your agency in the AWBW model, the signature 2 day live training is required prior to participating in our train the trainer program.

Training available:

For more information on AWBW’s signature, two-day, live Facilitator Training, offered four times per year (3 held virtually on Zoom and one in-person) visit awbw.org/trainings.

To check out the On-Demand Facilitator Training, visit awbw.org/ondemand.

Training Contact:

Christy Turek Rials, Director of Training & Outreach 
trainings@awbw.org, 310-396-0317 x 2

Program Contact

Christy Turek Rials, Director of Training & Outreach
cturekrials@awbw.org

Rudy Hernandez, Director or Programs
rhernandez@awbw.org

1029 1/2 W. 24th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
310-396-0317