Danica Co-Hosts the Healing the Sacred Thread Resilience Festival at East Stroudsburg University

On Saturday, October 18, Danica cohosted and spoke at the Healing the Sacred Thread Resilience Festival at East Stroudsburg University alongside Jennifer Arevalo-Rodriguez of Casa Madre Counseling. The event was a day dedicated to connection, community, and collective healing.

Held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the festival honored victims, celebrated survivors, and brought together advocates, artists, and community members to raise awareness and inspire lasting change.

More than just an event, Healing the Sacred Thread is a movement rooted in compassion, resilience, and the shared belief that when one of us heals, we all rise. Through art, storytelling, and education, the festival invited participants to explore the ways our communities can support survivors and prevent future violence.

Empowering Youth, Elevating Voices

At the heart of the festival are two cornerstone initiatives that invest in the next generation of changemakers:

Pass the Power
This initiative empowers youth to lead with purpose by providing mentorship, skill-building workshops, and the resources needed to organize and take action in their communities. By creating platforms for young voices to be heard, Pass the Power nurtures leadership and drives local, youth-led solutions.

Jóvenes Libres
Focused on Latinx youth impacted by the carceral system, Jóvenes Libres uses arts-based healing, storytelling, and culturally rooted support to foster resilience and belonging. These programs offer safe spaces for expression, connection, and growth, grounded in liberation, dignity, and collective joy.

Healing, Empowerment, and Community

Funds raised through the festival directly support programs that expand mental health access, provide trauma recovery services, and offer scholarships for survivors and families in crisis. The event also amplifies women-, BIPOC-, and survivor-led small businesses, reinforcing the message that economic empowerment and healing go hand in hand.

During the event, Danica spoke about the importance of connection and community, emphasizing how shared experiences can foster healing and strength. Together, participants, performers, and partners helped create a space of hope and transformation, a reminder that resilience is not built alone but through collective care.