ROGERS — Abusers often seek to take away their victims’ ability to express themselves.
They’ll control matters like their jobs and education, all the way down to what kind of food they snack on, says Melanie Palmer, the executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter. So giving people a means of expression is a way to help them heal and start their new lives.
The women’s shelter has an art program, and it’s one of the most popular thingsit does, Palmer says. Every year, the shelter takes in about 500 people at its Rogers location - men, women and children - and nearly all of them create art in some form.
The shelter’s clients usually create their art in groups, with other clients in the room, making the session part creativity, part therapy.
“The clients really love getting the chance to express themselves,” says Palmer, of Fayetteville. “They talk about what’s happened to them and work through the healing process through art.”
Some of the art made by the shelter’s clients will be on display at its fresh stART fundraiser, which will be from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Serendipity, at 117 W. Walnut St. in downtown Rogers.
In addition to art from the shelter’s clients, the event will feature work donated by local professional artists. The art will be auctioned off during the course of the night. Tickets to the event are $40.
“We find that many artists are passionate about what we do,” Palmer says. “It’s a very casual event, akind of drop-in event. [The clients’] artwork is a powerful thing for people who attend to see.”
The women’s shelter provides a wide array of services. It offers 24-hour emergency shelter for people who are in a dangerous situation and need a safe place to stay. Shelter services include room and board, food, clothing, transportation and other basic necessities.
Most people who come to the shelter first make contact through its 24-hour hot line - (479) 246-9999 - which is in English and Spanish. For those who speak a different language, the shelter will provide a translator. The shelter has numerous support groups and services, which help itsclients become independent, “if that’s what they want to do,” Palmer says.
About a third of the shelter’s funding comes from its thrift shop, located at 1639 N. Arkansas St. in Rogers. Many people who choose to volunteer with the organization decide to give their time to the thrift shop, allowing them to contribute to the shelter from afar.
There are plenty of other volunteer opportunities available at the shelter: answering the phones at the hot line, preparing rooms for clients, organizing birthday parties for children who are there.
The majority of the shelter’s clients come from Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties, but it has helped people from several surrounding states.
“One of the things that is unusual about our shelter is we don’t turn people away,” Palmer says. “We shelter everyone that comes to us, regardless of our space and resources.”
The women’s shelter was founded in 1988, so 2013 will be its 25th anniversary. It’s going to be a big year for the shelter, Palmer says.
There will be a capital campaign and a beautification program, in which volunteers redecorate rooms in the shelter.
“We’re really excited about it,” Palmer says. “Our ongoing challenge is that more people come to us every year, and our goal is to serve more people, to keep our doors open to everybodywho needs us.” For more information about the Northwest Arkansas Women’sShelter fresh stART event, call (479) 246-9999 or visit nwaws. org.
Northwest Profile, Pages 39 on 11/18/2012