La Grande High School and Project H.O.W.

Clothesline Project for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Dear Project “H.O.W.’ers”:

The Clothesline Project is a display of shirts with messages and illustrations that have been
designed by survivors of violence-- or by someone who loves a person who has been a victim of
violence. The purpose of the Project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence in our
community.

Since its beginning, the Clothesline Project organizers have been moved by the power of the
stories contained in these shirts. Young people from around the country have joined efforts to
educate by telling their stories, by hanging their shirts on a line, and by making connections with
other survivors. These efforts are critical to the healing process and ultimately, to ending the
cycle of violence (a vision we should never stop believing in).

The impact of the Project has been widespread and promising. As of 2001, there are
"Clotheslines" in over 500 communities and several foreign countries.

We are gathering this packet of information for you in the hopes that you will want to join in
creating the Clothesline project at La Grande High School. We will launch this on April 16-22
and have the Observer come and photograph your efforts! We can use recycled or personal
t-shirts as well as cutting sheets into mini t-shirts—so there is no need to buy anything (from the
templates that we have at the shelter).

At some time in our lives, everyone will be touched by an act of violence. The Clothesline Project
provides one way to give every high school student a voice and a place to be heard. Many
survivors who have participated in the Project feel that making a shirt has been a great way to
educate their peers while providing a space for survivors to play a part in their healing and
recovery process. The Clothesline serves as both a moving tribute and a vital means of conveying
the enormity of the problem of violence in all forms. Please help send a message to your
community.

Sincerely,

Chris Martin and Cierra Thomas

Project H.O.W. (Healthy Outlooks for Women) Group Leaders