StoriesWork and UNCA Host Events to Empower Abused Women

StoriesWork and UNC Asheville are hosting a special event spotlighting the issue of domestic violence and the role of the humanities in prevention and healing.

StoriesWork, a Durham-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering abused women through therapeutic storytelling, is presenting two evenings of art, poetry and storytelling at 7:30 p.m. April 21 and 22 in UNCA's Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. To raise awareness about the global and historic nature of domestic violence, the events demonstrate how the humanities can be invaluable in providing insights, in helping women to heal and move forward, and in breaking the patterns of abuse.
The celebration of the humanities in education and empowerment consists of two programs, a Monday evening reception and a Tuesday presentation. Highlights include posters, poetry and folk stories, along with an audience participation panel discussion with experts from StoriesWork and representatives of the local and university communities. 

The reception showcases a StoriesWork exhibition of posters from around the world, demonstrating culturally unique messages that abuse is never "OK," and that it is up to the entire community to stop the violence and end the silence. Poetry readings give powerful expression to the tragedy of violence against women and children. The Tuesday evening program highlights a presentation on therapeutic storytelling and an examination of the role of academic disciplines in addressing issues of domestic violence. A panel discussion with public participation will be moderated by StoriesWork Executive Director Lenora Ucko. The exhibit and reception will take place in the Karpen Hall Foyer, where the exhibit will be open for viewing throughout the day Tuesday. The presentation will take place in Karpen Hall's Laurel Forum.

Open to the public, the free events are supported in part by the North Carolina Humanities Council. 

About StoriesWork

StoriesWork, a non-profit organization based in Durham, NC, has a two-fold mission: 

* To provide training in therapeutic storytelling for personnel who work with domestic violence issues 
* To conduct community awareness-raising events on family life, the roles of women and men, and domestic violence.

As part of its goal to improve the lives of women caught in the tragedy of domestic violence, StoriesWork has reframed folklore wisdom into a finely honed counseling tool for group and individual services. StoriesWork provides community workshops and an online self-study course for facilitators, advocates, and counselors who work to empower abused women. 

For more information, email info@storieswork.org.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. John Wood, UNCA Sociology Department, 828/251-6977 or jwood@unca.edu
• Lenora Ucko, StoriesWork, 919/489-7711 or lenora@storieswork.org