Barry University brings 'The Clothesline Project' to South Florida

Miami Shores, Fla. – In an effort to raise awareness of domestic violence and prevention, the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at Barry University is partnering with local universities and domestic abuse organizations to bring “The Clothesline Project” to the South Florida community this October. The public is invited to “Break the Silence” and participate in this awareness event at the Broward Mall, Center Court, on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Clothesline Project” is a national initiative that was started in 1990 by members of the Cape Cod Women’s Agenda as a memorial for victims of abuse. During its nearly 20-year run, the project has garnered the support of various universities, counseling centers and local and state organizations throughout the country. Women affected by violence are offered the opportunity to express their emotions by decorating T-shirts and then displaying them on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony of issues of violence against women.

Barry University’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Services became involved with the project in 2007 when it first sponsored the event as part of the university’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month in November. The event’s success prompted Barry staff counselors Alison Morris, L.M.F.T. and Jennifer Mathis-Fisher, L.M.H.C., who organized the event, to take “The Clothesline Project” to the next level by partnering the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services with the Counseling Ministry of South Florida to bring the project to the greater Miami community.

This year, Morris and Mathis-Fisher have reached out to Westfield Broward to further expand the project and bring it to the entire South Florida community during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Participants who bring a T-shirt to this Saturday’s event will be provided with art supplies to decorate their shirts to be hung on clotheslines both inside and outside the mall as a united commitment to rid homes, neighborhoods and the world of domestic violence and abuse.

As part of this event, Lt. Joseph Schillaci of A&E’s reality TV series “The First 48” will make an appearance to offer words of encouragement to survivors and families of victims of abuse. Schillaci, a 24-year veteran of the Miami Police Department, has committed his life “to make a difference” through his motivational speaking and humanitarian efforts.

No More Tears, Women in Distress of Broward County, Nova Southeastern University and other local organizations and universities will also be collaborating with Barry University and Westfield Broward in support of “The Clothesline Project.”

For more information, visit http://www.jennifermathis-fisher.com/domestic-violence-awareness-events.