Ayuda’s social services program exists to help immigrant survivors of domestic violence (DV), human trafficking, sexual violence and other crimes heal from trauma and rebuild their lives. Since the early 90s, support groups have been a core part of this work at Ayuda, beginning with our Hermanas Unidas (“Women United”) gathering of Latina DV survivors.
Over the last 30 years, Ayuda’s support groups have grown beyond Hermanas Unidas, evolving in response to the needs of our clients. Recently, our Maryland Social Services team introduced Arte Para Todos (“Art for Everyone”), a new support group that harnesses art to connect with wellbeing.
Bridging Mental Health Gaps for Immigrant Communities
Arte Para Todos came about in response to the access gaps in mental health services for our immigrant neighbors.
“Most of our clients don’t have insurance, and finding bilingual mental health services is too difficult,” says Maria Vethencourt, Ayuda’s Maryland Social Services Manager.
Furthermore, many of the immigrants we serve are navigating a new community with very few connections to support them. For someone on a mental healing journey, this social isolation tends to compound with and worsen their existing mental health challenges.
Arte Para Todos aims to fight this sense of isolation with community-building, and to help bridge the gap in mental healthcare for our immigrant neighbors.
Art as a Pathway to Wellbeing
In partnership with Joe’s Movement Emporium, Ayuda’s Maryland team established a specific curriculum to guide each Arte Para Todos cohort’s healing journey. A cohort typically consists of six to eight immigrant women or men, who show up each session to engage with a new medium of art. As the name suggests, the group convenes in Spanish to accommodate the language needs of our Maryland social services clients.
One of the very first sessions of Arte Para Todos invites participants to create collages that reflect their personal journeys and cultural backgrounds using images, colors and textures. After collaging, the participants discuss how art can convey emotions and experiences that are often difficult to put into words.
At a later session, the instructor introduces clay, exploring the concept of resilience in the face of trauma. Participants mold the clay into sculptures that symbolize strength, growth, and perseverance. The sculptures then serve as a jumping off point for sharing stories and personal narratives.
The support group cohort concludes with an art exhibition, where participants can show off their works in a gallery-inspired setting and reflect on their personal growth.
A Meaningful Moment in Survivors’ Healing Journeys
The Arte Para Todos support group has concluded several cohorts at this point – each one ending with clients feeling more confident in themselves and their journeys.
According to one client (translated from Spanish):
“As a former victim and now a survivor of sexual abuse, this group has restored my confidence to believe in myself and see my worth again. It has made me stronger, more empowered, and taught me to prioritize my peace and tranquility above all else.”
– Arte Para Todos Participant
Given the success of the first few Arte Para Todos cohorts, Ayuda’s Maryland team is working with Joe’s Movement Emporium to expand the support group and make it even more accessible – such as with a mix of online and in-person sessions or providing transportation support. Over the summer, the team provided its first Arte Para Todos offering for men who’ve survived some form of abuse.
As we continue to grow and adapt our services to meet the diverse needs of immigrant communities, Arte Para Todos and Ayuda’s other support groups are a powerful reminder that healing is not just about addressing wounds—it’s about creating space for resilience, growth, and joy.
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Ayuda’s Arte Para Todos support group was profiled by NBC4 and Telemundo. Watch the full video to learn more! (Click here for Spanish-language video)