Cookies for Causes
I've made some ceramic fortune cookies that I've decided to put for sale and have the profits be split between to two organizations - Atira and Crisis Centre BC. I've been wanting to find ways to contribute to causes that are meaningful to me.
I am acutely aware of the violence in the world and am very grateful that my home now is safe and abundant with the freedom to be who I am without fear. I know that is not the reality for many others and remember the times that hasn't been the case for myself. I know that violence happens to a range of people, and especially when they are vulnerable persons. Atira is an organization in East Vancouver that serves women including trans, two spirit and intersex women and or those who identify with a femme of centre non-binary gender that have faced violence.
Supporting suicide prevention, impacts of suicide, and mental health challenges have also been at the forefront of causes that have been meaningful to me since I was a teen. So the other organization I would like to support is Crisis Centre BC.
I remember volunteering as a 15 year old at a crisis call line and feeling helpless when I was put on the adult crisis lines since there was a shortge of volunteers. There are two callers I've never forgotten, both very depressed, lonely and spoke of feeling like there was "no way out". One was an elderly lady who had been losing all her loved ones one after another and had no one else to speak to. I didn't have the life experience to relate or really give any helpful suggestions. I was 15. But I could very much recognize the despair in her voice. She was at the brink of giving up. And no one noticed. I remember fumbling around with failing awkward attempts to cheer her up and give her hope. I told myself that I would remember the pain of the unseen, and forgotten when I got older. I want to keep noticing them. Be a human to those around me. And reaching out and seeing those who were fading into ghosts. Because they are just as real as any of us and we are all susceptible to the same experience, though circumstance and privilege creates buffers. They also create blinders. I have the privilege to have people who see, notice, and care about me. These last few months have been testament to that. My fridge full of gifted food, the string of visitors in my home and offers to help have shown me that I am loved. And I don't take that for granted. So where and when I can, I'd like to noticing, seeing and being human with others. As I explore what I want to do with my art, I am drawn to use my art to connect and heal.
Who know? Maybe no cookies will sell. My first attempt at selling will be this Friday evening at a small local pottery sale at the Squamish Potter's Holiday Sale at the Squamish library from 4pm - 8pm. I'll need help with the event since I am not yet a week out of surgery and on crutches. No real expectations to sell much but it's a small try.