Few library events draw quite the same crowds as Crafts for a Cause, the seasonal earring-making workshop hosted by local volunteer Joan Lloyd. Though her talents are in high-demand, Joan makes time to visit the Yonkers libraries every few months, bringing with her thousands of beads, eye pins, and earring hooks. All are welcome and many arrive, with as many as 35 or 40 local residents, age 10 and up, creating hundreds of pairs of earrings. Joan provides the materials and shows each newcomer the ropes, asking only one thing in return – that for every pair of earrings you create for yourself, you give one back to Joan to distribute among women’s shelters.
It is important that the earrings are donated to women’s shelters in particular. The issues of sexual assault and domestic violence continue to grow. Nationwide, 81% of women (and 43% of men) report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or abuse, while up to 1 in 3 women (and 1 in 10 men) report experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. The most effective method of defense against one’s abuser is escape, but the choice to leave an abusive situation is not a simple decision. Factors such as the length of relationship to their abuser or the welfare of shared children often convince victims to cope with abuse rather than leaving a dangerous situation. The survivors who reside in women’s shelters come from all walks of life, cultures, and economic statuses. Each has made a difficult decision to break free from a cycle of abuse and deserves to be recognized and supported by her community.
By participating in Crafts for a Cause, you remind survivors directly of their unique worth and beauty. Even though you may never personally meet the women you support through this program, the message your donation sends is powerful and desperately needed. When you participate in Crafts for a Cause, Joan donates your creations to more than 20 shelters nationwide, especially to several in New York and New Jersey, and you will leave with several pairs of your own new earrings and the satisfaction that you are directly impacting the lives of women in need.
Join us on June 23rd at the Crestwood Library for our next session of Crafts for a Cause. View this event on the YPL Calendar here.
Follow Joan Lloyd’s “Bling’s the Thing” Facebook page here.
Natalie Varker is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is pursuing a BA in Elementary Education from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, and is especially passionate about child growth and development, special education, and children’s literature. Her free time is spent reading, watching, and talking about her favorite rom-coms.