Jennifer Rosoff, founder of The Creative Movement Company, received a Summer 2013 grant for a series of Empowerment Through Movement workshops for sexual and domestic violence survivors. 

Jennifer developed this initiative to provide a safe haven to aid the healing process for sexually, physically or mentally abused women and men through movement.  The purpose of the workshops is to help them “reconnect with their bodies, feel attractive in their own skin, feel empowered and help them to regain their sense of self-worth.”  The workshops are about helping people take back control of their lives and their bodies.

Jennifer connects with participants through domestic violence programs, shelter assistance, survivor support groups and therapists.  The workshops give these individuals “a chance to communicate . . . emotions without having to speak a word.”  Benefits include learning to be expressive and to relax the body and mind, as well as finding “humor, happiness and inspiration through movement.” 

This series of workshops was developed in conjunction with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and the Family Justice Center in Tampa, FL.   

Although Emily’s grants are focused on Western MA and MGH, we wanted to support Jennifer because she graduated from college in 2007 and is exactly Emily’s age.  Her dance business, The Creative Movement Co., is dedicated to transforming lives “one step at a time by utilizing the art of movement as a vehicle for healing and bringing joy to the community.”  Her own creativity is demonstrated in many ways, including the fact that last year, she organized a flash mob of 200 survivors at a Take Back the Night Event.  Emily would have loved that.

Jennifer has done a lot in very little time for people of all ages, not only survivors of domestic and sexual violence but individuals with special needs, patients in hospitals, the underprivileged and at-risk youth.  Emily would want to help her.