A local artist is giving back to an organization that helped her through a traumatic time.
Tessa Charlebois was a victim of domestic violence, and found support through the Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services. Now a survivor, Charlebois held an art show in August and raised more than $2,500 for the service.
“In my experience through an abusive relationship I knew how important that (service) was so I wanted to do anything I could to help other victims of crime,” she said Wednesday morning at the Thunder Bay Armoury.
Along with the help of victim services, Charlebois used her art as a therapeutic outlet to work through her emotions.
“I was scared. I was fearful,” she said. “I was able to release all of those emotions and really it was basically my own therapy and I felt no pain when I did my artwork.”
Program manager Deborah Dika was with Charlebois through the entire court process during her ordeal. She saw the strength in Charlebois as it went along.
“To see Tessa today go from a victim to a survivor is absolutely incredible,” she said.
The money will go towards helping other victims.
“We’re hoping to be able to put a kit together to be able to hand out to victims of domestic violence so that they can have the information on safety planning what to do and who to call,” she said.
The service started in 2002. It partners with local emergency personnel to help victims with everything from referrals to just lending an ear to someone in need.
“Most of the time we’re the first people in the door after the police leave,” Dika said.
“We sit with that victim, listen to what they need to tell us and then provide some services to them. Just being able to her their story is incredible.”
