Community Partner: FORCE
Intern: Aisa Moreno‐Megui
Site Supervisors: Hannah Brancato and Shanti Flagg
What is FORCE?
FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture is a creative activist collaboration to upset the
culture of rape and promote a culture of consent. We believe that a more
difficult and honest conversation needs to happen in America to face the
realities of sexual violence. FORCE is currently working on the Monument
Quilt, a public healing space by and for survivors of sexual assault and
domestic violence.
This summer I had the unique opportunity to work at two sites. Below are my
experiences with each:
To say I was not nervous and afraid on my first day would be a lie. I was embarrassed
to feel that way, but to deny my involuntary prejudices would not be genuine. I was
afraid, excited also, but afraid nonetheless. From a young age, I heard many strong
messages about people suffering from addiction and mental illness but even if a
notion is wrong, it is hard to shake ideas that have been shoved down your throat.
People who suffer from addiction are dehumanized all over the media, and I wanted
to do my part to fight against that stigma. Talking and working with the woman at
Martha’s Place showed me once again that there is little reason to be scared. I
enjoyed sharing meals with the staff and residents as well as learning about the
women’s lives. It is not an experience that I would trade for the world.
Red – that is the first thing that I saw when I entered the studio at Force. Red
everywhere and sewing machines on the tables. Boxes placed around the room with
paper and pen, so that people have the opportunity to share overwhelming
memories and emotions that may come up for them during the creative process. To
the left, a quilt, hanging from the wall, with self‐care tips stitched into the red fabric
and rules demanding the maintenance of a safe and welcoming environment. Ninety‐
five percent of what is done at Force is creating the quilts. Weaving together four
survivors’ stories to be added to the collection of stories that will shared with the
world at different locations across the United States. I always thought that I had to
have a face to face conversation to support someone, but sewing 4’x4’ pieces of red
fabric together. ‐Aisa
Tasks:
• Assisted Martha’s Place program director with
updates of database of resident outcomes
• Assisted during the intake procedure for new
residents
• Assisted studio coordinator at FORCE with
upkeep of the studio
• Learned basic sewing techniques and created a
quilt
• Set up and broke down displays across
Baltimore
• Assisted with FORCE flyering and outreach
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