Local StoriesMarch 21, 2024

Meet Sara Salih

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sara Salih. Sara was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Jordan Faver.

Sara, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Starting The Usual Artspects nonprofit organization was a deeply personal journey for me, rooted in the theme of sexual abuse and injustice that has affected not only myself but also my family and loved ones. Despite my passion for addressing this injustice, I initially grappled with uncertainty about the direction to take.

The pandemic provided an opportunity for introspection, prompting me to dig deep and reassess my priorities. Taking the first step, I created an online support group for women who had experienced sexual abuse. What began modestly quickly transformed into a global support network within a few months, reaching women not only in Texas but also across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Philippines. This experience opened my eyes to the widespread nature and crisis of this issue, motivating me to offer more resources for those suffering with the aftermath of sexual abuse.

Simultaneously, I launched The Usual Artspects, initially as an art show business, alongside leading and coordinating the online support group. After a year of running the group, I recognized the need for a more substantial and organized effort to benefit survivors. This led me to transition The Usual Artspects into a nonprofit at the end of 2021. Now, our organization not only hosts art shows that support survivors but also provides crucial resources and funding for Art Therapy and other healing programs for women. Art Therapy, in particular, has proven to be an incredible resource, demonstrating tangible reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

The journey from an online support group to a nonprofit organization has been transformative, and I’m deeply committed to continuing our mission of providing support, resources, and healing for survivors of sexual abuse.

We’ve heard great things about your organization. For our readers who might not be as familiar, can you please tell them about the organization?
The Usual Artspects distinguishes itself through its mission of providing healing and empowerment to female survivors of physical violence and sexual abuse, with a focus on improving their mental, emotional, and physical well-being through art. Our organization fosters a safe and supportive environment, offering advocacy, awareness, community, education, and resources through various art and social events, as well as artistic therapeutic healing programs and workshops. Several factors set us apart from other organizations in this field. Primarily, we don’t believe in the “one size fits all” solution for survivors of abuse. While we recognize and support the benefits of traditional talk therapies, we also emphasize creative healing therapies such as art, music, dance, comedy improv, martial arts, and writing. These alternative approaches have been proven to be effective in aiding the recovery of survivors of sexual abuse. Acknowledging that healing is not a linear process, we understand that different resources may resonate and benefit survivors at different points in their healing journey. In terms of branding, The Usual Artspects takes pride in a unique and colorful brand. Given the serious nature of our mission, we believe it’s essential to convey a message of hope and positivity. Our vibrant branding reflects the idea that there is light and color at the end of the tunnel, promoting a sense of optimism, artistic expression, and encouragement for those we aim to support.

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Jordan Faver and Faver Creative, PLLC and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Faver Creative, PLLC.
We are very thankful to have worked and partnered with Jordan! She’s been a great asset to our programs and our clients have responded well to the sessions she’s led. Jordan isn’t afraid to ask the ladies tough questions, and also help them answer those questions while carefully guiding them on the next step on their healing journey.

She has a huge heart and her dedication to our mission and the well-being of our participants has made a significant impact on the success of our programs.