Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.
–Mother Teresa
justice comes in lifting, serving and helping other victims become survivors.
we are not broken, just in need of some mending.
In our little Mend community, survivors learn that “we” is better than “me”; We are empowered when we help empower others.
It’s amazing to see the change in women who come through our studio doors. The simple act of treating people with respect and kindness helps them begin to see themselves as worthy of it.
Our Origin Story
MEND ON THE MOVE WAS CREATED BY JOANNE EWALD, FROM HER PLACE OF HEALING. SHE REMAINED INVOLVED AS the founder and leader OF MEND ON THE MOVE FROM 2015 TO 2023. OUR NONPROFIT WAS THE CULMINATION OF ALL HER PAST PAIN, SUFFERING, EXPERIENCES, GIFTS AND TALENTS COMING TOGETHER FOR A VERY CLEAR AND INTENTIONAL PURPOSE; TO WALK ALONGSIDE AND ENCOURAGE OTHER WOMEN WHO FELT AS SHE ONCE HAD - THAT THEY HAD LITTLE VALUE TO OFFER THIS WORLD.
Joanne WAS OPEN TO SHARING ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE DIDN’T BEGIN TO FACE THE ABUSE THAT HAPPENED TO HER AS A CHILD UNTIL WELL INTO HER ADULTHOOD.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT SHAME AND INSECURITIES KEPT HER QUIET. AND, ALSO BECAUSE she LEARNED IT WAS BEST NOT TO DISCUSS SUCH THINGS. SHE FELT SHE NEEDED TO FORGET AND JUST MOVE ON. BUT WHEN SHE HAD CHILDREN OF HER OWN, HER HEART WAS STRUCK BY THEIR VULNERABILITY. THE THOUGHT OF SOMEONE ABUSING THEM GRIEVED her AND FORCED joanne TO FACE HER OWN TRUTH.
SHE BEGAN THERAPY IN HER 30’S AND BECAME A CHRISTIAN AT THE AGE OF 40. A LATE BLOOMER FOR SURE! BUT SHE CREDITS BOTH OF THESE AS INSTRUMENTAL IN MOVING HER TOWARD FORGIVENESS AND HEALING. JEWELRY MAKING ALSO WAS A SOOTHING AND INTROSPECTIVE CONTRIBUTOR TO HER RECOVERY. SHE ESPECIALLY LOVED TURNING OLD AND DISCARDED ITEMS INTO SOMETHING NEW AGAIN. A GLIMMER OF WHAT WAS AHEAD!
ALONG THE WAY A DREAM STARTED TAKING SHAPE. A DREAM ABOUT STARTING A NONPROFIT TO PROVIDE ABUSED WOMEN WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEMSELVES BY WORKING IN A CREATIVE COMMUNITY WITH LIKE-MINDED SURVIVORS.
IT WAS TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, BUT MEND ON THE MOVE CAME TO BE IN 2015. THE ABUSE DONE TO JOANNE, AND ALL OF US HERE AT MEND, WAS MEANT FOR EVIL- BUT GOODNESS AND LOVE HAD THE LAST WORD IN OUR STORY. JUST AS THROWAWAY AUTO PARTS ARE TRANSFORMED INTO NEW AND BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS, SO, TOO, WAS JOANNE’S LIFE AND THE LIVES OF THE SURVIVORS WHO ARE LOVINGLY ACCEPTED, VALUED AND ENCOURAGED THROUGH MEND ON THE MOVE.