New Play Aims to Bring Hope and Healing to Survivors
New Play Aims to Bring Hope and Healing to Survivors
Enlightenment Machine No. 1 to debut in NYC this Week
Kat Sullivan’s New Play is “Part Street Performance, Part Protest”
“Join us and allow the legends of survivors to guide the future”
WHAT: As a new street play that aims to bring hope and healing to survivors of sexual abuse debuts in New York City, survivors and advocates will:
- Join together to bring a positive message to survivors,
- Spread the word about opportunities for justice through the Child Victims Act and healing through support groups, and
- Celebrate the journey of being a survivor with a unique street performance and protest
WHEN: Thursday, October 10 at 12:30 PM
WHERE: In Union Square Park in New York City, 10003 (corner of 17th and Broadway).
WHO: The play has been written and developed by Kat Sullivan, a Registered Nurse, survivor, artist and activist from New York who will be joined by Brian Toale, the Manhattan Leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
WHY: As more news and information continues to come out regarding cases of sexual abuse, survivors in New York want to interrupt the barrage of stories with something positive that can bring hope and healing to survivors of sexual abuse.
“Survivors deserve their own happily ever after,” said Kat Sullivan, “and so I’m taking my activism into the empathy art space.”
Sullivan is a survivor and artist from New York who is the brain behind Enlightenment Machine 1, a project that she calls “part street performance, part protest.” The play, which is set to open with a flash performance in Union Square on October 10, “focuses on how a survivor heals from their trauma and how the media and close people in their lives can better advocate for them,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan is widely known for her protest billboards in and around New York calling attention to the Child Victims Act and its opponents. This protest has received national coverage and is ongoing, and Enlightenment Machine No. 1 is the next phase of Sullivan’s unique and inspirational brand of protest.
Following the first performance of Enlightenment Machine No. 1, there will be a press conference helping to amplify the message of hope, love and support to survivors throughout the state. Brian Toale, leader of the Manhattan chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, will be sharing information on how survivors can take advantage of the new CVA in order to pursue a chance at justice and will share information on multiple different support groups and avenues that are available to survivors looking for help and healing.
“This play will hopefully be the encouragement that some survivors need in order to come forward, be celebrated, and start healing,” said Toale. “We want those survivors to know that we are here to help.”
“I’m working to end this suffering through the rise of Survivors,” said Sullivan. “This can only be done by speaking up and gathering a sacred group of Helpers to fight the fight. I have created a sacred space. Join us and allow the legends of survivors to guide the future.”
CONTACT: Kat Sullivan, Author of Enlightenment Machine 1, ([email protected], PHONE NUMBER) Brian Toale, SNAP Manhattan ([email protected], 646-657-9278)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director