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Art has proven to be powerful therapy for this local teen who suffered sexual assault and physical abuse by an older man she knew and trusted. He coerced the girl to use drugs and threatened to harm her family and kill her beloved pets. To take back her life, the girl, 16 at the time of the abuse, went through drug treatment. Once she was clean, the teen focused on aiding the abuser’s prosecution to keep him from hurting other young girls like her, said Susan Moen, executive director of Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team. “She lost all trust in the world after what she went through,” said Moen, whose organization supported the girl through the abuser’s trial and his 18-month release on bail. “And yet she came forward to prevent it from happening to others.” The girl lost her identity and self-worth during the abuse, but she is healing through painting. Art supplies or gift cards to Craft Warehouse would validate this therapeutic pursuit. A doctor and therapist working with the teen recommend wholesome foods to combat stress-related health issues as she learns to take better care of herself. Gift cards to Ashland’s Shop’N Kart or Medford Food Co-op would provide valuable grocery supplements. Activities that foster family togetherness would help the girl to rebuild connections the abuser severed and trust that he shattered. Outings to share coffee, manicures or clothes shopping would renew this family’s outlook, so gift certificates for those activities would help. Cards and well wishes also would benefit this teen immensely, said Moen. “She endured blame and shame and was targeted for retaliation. Now we can break the tremendous isolation she felt.” To help, call Moen at 541-840-0904 or email [email protected].