JRC is a residential treatment facility that works with males 12-18 years old. The 42 bed facility serves ten surrounding Ohio counties including: Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert,
Williams, and Wood counties. JRC works with youth and their families to make positive change that will result in improved functioning in their home communities. In collaboration with the family, Juvenile Court, and community service providers, the facility individualizes each youth’s treatment, with a goal of enhancing their pro-social development.
The treatment staff connected with The Cocoon and expressed a desire to facilitate bringing the Clothesline Project display to the facility to aid in conversations around Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the impact of violence on survivors and communities, and incorporate meaningful and interactive displays to enhance their treatment and personal development.
“All of the shirts in the display have been made by local survivors of violence in the Wood County area and share a survivor’s story of violence and the impact” Justina Fuqua-Black shared. “Almost everybody in this room either knows someone who’s experienced violence, has committed violence, or someone you love has committed violence.” JRC Counselor Elizabeth Johnson-Walsh shared during the event.
This created a space for accountability, uncomfortable conversations and intentional reflection for the residents of the facility. The intention of the educational session and display activity was for the boys to observe the impact, feelings, and outcomes directly from the perception of survivors of violence. “We (JRC) are very perpetrator-oriented, and The Cocoon is very survivor oriented. To bridge that gap is huge,” said Elizabeth Johnson-Walsh.
“The Clothesline Project has had an immediate impact on our residents’ perspective of their own actions as well as their loved one’s experiences. Directly after the project that day, the boys were asked to write letters to the creators of the t-shirts. One of them stated in their letter, ‘thank you for helping me realize the harm I have caused. It motivates me to make a right for my wrongs, even though there is nothing I can do to completely make up for what I’ve done.’ Elizabeth Johnson-Walsh shared after the event.
Justina Fuqua-Black, Communications & Outreach Coordinator at The Cocoon, facilitated a group discussion focusing on the Clothesline Project display, statistics of violence, and programs at The Cocoon with the residents and staff during the visit.
Although The Cocoon and JRC have had an ongoing partnership for a long-time, this project developed conversations for additional ways the organizations can collaborate and support each other.
Piper Nelson, Prevention Educator at The Cocoon shared her experience after the display. “Getting to partake in the Clothesline Project at JRC was a wonderful experience. The day was filled with many meaningful conversations, discussions of future collaborations, and true human connection. The staff and residents at this agency were some of the most respectful and open-minded people I have had the pleasure of working with. I am eager to work with JRC on different projects, as I am very confident in this continuing partnership.”
Pictured from left to right: Salina Stuart, JRC Clinical Coordinator; Montana Crawford, JRC Director; Elizabeth Johnson-Walsh, JRC Counselor; Justina Fuqua-Black, Cocoon Communications & Outreach Coordinator; Shailee Ludwig, Cocoon Youth-Based Advocate; and Piper Nelson, Cocoon Prevention Educator.
Interested in learning more about The Cocoon or scheduling an education awareness event? Contact us today by calling 419-373-1730, ext. 1013 for more information.
