Middle school students, Fairhaven residents participate in joint workshops
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
Five teenagers and five senior citizens put their artistic and horticultural skills to the test during an Association for the Prevention of Family Violence-sponsored event in May.
A 2018 grant from the Whitewater Community Foundation to promote collaboration between APFV and Studio 84, Whitewater Middle School students and residents of Fairhaven Senior Services supported the four-session workshop.
The first program focused on providing a greater understanding of individual strengths and sought to gain insights into the different challenges each generation faces.
Participants worked together on a personality assessment and a combination art and garden project.
While youth shared their technology experiences, while seniors offered some of the wisdom they have gained throughout life.
Working side by side in Studio 84, the 10 participants planned how to decorate flowerpots, painted the pots, transplanted flowers and other plants and distributed them to Fairhaven Senior Services residents.
APFV began in 1978 as a task force looking at the community problem of domestic violence, enhancing its mission over the years and expanding its services.
In 2018, APFV changed its name to New Beginnings APFV and opened a second office in downtown Whitewater in order to better meet the needs of the northern portions of Walworth County as well as beginning to serve residents of southern Jefferson County. The main office is located in Elkhorn.
New Beginnings APFV provides comprehensive, compassionate support and services to people affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.
This includes crisis intervention, legal advocacy, safety planning, individual counseling, housing advocacy, children’s services, medical advocacy and information and referral to other relevant community resources.
To learn more about APFV, visit newbeginningswalworth.com.
