What is Threads of Compassion?

This is my first attempt at keeping up with a blog page. I'm not sure how good I'll do since I can't even keep up with my email!

Threads of Compassion is a dream I have to offer a small amount of comfort and support to people who have been the victims of sexual violence. When I was 17, three friends and I were raped. In order to deal with it, I closed myself off to everyone around me. I had no idea of the support I truly needed. I guess part of my hope is to offer to others some of the support I wish my friends and I had received. So many people are lost in how to respond to friends and family that have been victims of sexual abuse and assault...So they opt to say and do nothing. This silence is heartbreaking to the victim...a silence that offers no validation to the pain they are feeling. The silence produces shame.

So I guess one of the main goals of Threads of Compassion is to acknowledge this pain. The gift of these scarves not only says someone was thinking of victim, but also expresses the knitters/crocheters sorrow for what has happened. Each scarf is made by someone who wishes to provide a small amount of comfort against the pain being faced, and by doing so lets the victim know they are not alone. As each victim then touches the threads of the scarves they receive, they are connecting with someone who cares about what has happened and is concerned for them. A huge message given through a few threads of yarn.

There is truly way more to this, but I feel like I'm starting to ramble. The address of the webpage where you can find out more about Threads of Compassion is: http://threadsofcompassion.bravehost.com/

nell