The David Lynch Foundation’s Women’s Initiative (DLFWI) is now partnering with the New York City Family Justice Center to teach the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique to women who are survivors of domestic abuse to help them overcome traumatic stress, break the terrible cycle of violence and take control of their lives.
In just the past few months, 50 staff members and clients have learned to meditate. Participants report immediate and marked benefits for both mental and physical health.
“With TM I can finally deal with all the anxiety and stress from the difficult experiences I went through in my life. Now I know I’ll be a better mother, and that’s the most important thing of all,” said Maria, a domestic abuse survivor out of the Brooklyn Family Justice Center.
Amarais Pena-Chavez, Deputy Director of the Brooklyn Center, added “I started feeling the reduction in stress levels right away. From my own positive experiences I knew I had to do my part to bring TM not only to our clients but to our partner staff.”
Based on these encouraging initial results, the Avon Foundation for Women has provided a generous grant to support the further expansion of the DLFWI and NYCFJC’s partnership. Through this grant, the two organizations will be able to bring the technique to an additional 60 women, children and staff to start as well.
“We are so encouraged by the relief that these women are gaining over such a short time. I can’t express how grateful I am to the Avon Foundation for Women for allowing us to bring this technique to more women in need,” said Britten Chroman, national director of the DLF Women’s Initiative.
