Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne Cherisma. She and her team shared their story with us below:
Joanne M. Chérisma moved to the States after the Haitian Earthquake in 2010. She is a mother and a nurse by profession.
In 2016, she started Beyond The Abuse, Inc. in order to bring awareness on abusive relationships and provide hope, empowerment, support and confidence to the victims. Since, she has been using her voice and her writing as an outlet for those who can understand the slings and arrows of life at many speaking engagements, DV events and workshops in the United States, Canada, and Haiti. She has a realistic view of situations which allows her readers to go on journeys through her writing. Joanne writes poetic prose that speaks to the hearts of many. Her passion for writing embodies her empathetic nature while showcasing inner human vulnerability that sometimes goes unheard.
In 2018, she published “I Never Thought I Would Be A Statistic” in which she shared a testimony of how she overcame an abusive marriage and is currently working on her second book as well as her book of poetry.
In June 2019, she received the “Diamonds Among Us Award” for her strength to overcome adversity and to go on to thrive and help others, and for her courageous, conquering, and victorious spirit.
In October 2022, she received the “Domestic Violence Survivor Award” for all the work that she has been doing to bring awareness on domestic violence.
She lives in New York.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Getting my life back on track after getting divorced was the most challenging thing for me. I had to face all the insecurities and really work on myself to have my confidence and self-esteem back. It took a lot of therapy, determination and perseverance to become the person I am today. I still have a lot to work on but thankfully, I am still making progress toward the person I want to become.
Regaining my confidence and self-esteem was also crucial for the work I do with the DV victims. Actually, going through the process gave me a better view and comprehension of this issue. I can relate more closely to those I work with as well as be more sensitive and supportive to their situation.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Beyond The Abuse Inc. is a non-profit organization that was created in 2016 to assist victims of domestic violence (DV), their families, and the larger community. BTA emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community. The organization seeks to raise awareness about DV, to educate people so they can recognize the signs of DV and avoid falling into abusive relationships, and be better equipped to leave them. BTA aims to instill more confidence in the individual(s) who suffer through DV and empower them throughout the process. At the same time, we want to provide support and resources to help victims and their families become more financially independent. BTA provides programs and events to educate the community that focuses on empowerment, self-care, domestic violence awareness, healthy relationships, etc. BTA has strived to provide programs and events at least twice a month since its creation.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented some challenges for running the organization, making it difficult to hold in-person meetings and events for nearly two years, and initially restricted BTA’s ability to continue programs people had come to depend on. However, with advances in virtual communication technology, we were able to offer virtual meetings, educational programs, and group support events. Some of our programs are still offered virtually.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Others can assist BTA in a number of ways. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate and partner with other organizations and individuals to provide programs on educational opportunities, financial independence, domestic violence, and life after domestic violence. People can also support BTA by donating in a number of ways: participating in our annual back to school drive in which we provide school supplies to deserving kids at the beginning of the school year, participating in a donation drive to sponsor a child’s education for a year in Haiti, or by making donations to BTA.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beyondtheabuse.org
- Instagram: @beyondtheabuse
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondtheabuse
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxS4bvfM0dQSgkx6lJf4i_A
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/joannemcherisma/
