Women "Break Thru" to Experience the Fruit of the Spirit

    ATLANTA, GA, December 13, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The women of Breakthru House, Inc successfully completed an innovative and inspiring six-week workshop entitled, "Healing for the Broken Spirit" .The culmination of the Workshop was the "Fruitful Living Celebration" held on December 8, 2009,

The workshop was the brainchild of Azizi Blissett, Founder & Executive Director of ZFusion. Ms. Blissett facilitated the workshop for the women of Breakthru House and was ably assisted by a dedicated cadre of 10 female volunteers who encouraged and supported the women in their quest to heal their spirits by stimulating their creativity using mixed-media art and collages. Using the Fruit of the Spirit, the women explored the life skills that result when they form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

"I was amazed and honored to witness the truth that arose through this art form and the grace in which participants accepted whatever surfaced in their work", said Phyllis Carrera, ZFusion volunteer and Georgia State University Master of Rehabilitation Counseling Intern.

Each woman was given one of the Fruit characteristics (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control) and was challenged to create a collage that depicted their personal feelings related to that word and it's opposite. Through this art form, the women experienced a freeing, joyful and therapeutic way to express themselves.

"The workshop gave me a better understanding of my feelings...where I am in my confusion and conflict", stated one of the residents. "My emptiness of abandonment is so clear as to how I lived in fear and turmoil. I also realized the positive side of faithfulness is very difficult and full of fear too".

Barbara Larsen, Clinical Director at Breakthru House was very excited about hosting ZFusion's Fruit of the Spirit workshop for the women. She heard about the workshop through another local women support program and looked forward to Breakthru residents' participation.

The ZFusion volunteers were grateful for the occasion to serve the women of Breakthru House. Thays Morgan, ZFusion Volunteer Coordinator, revealed that she saw first hand the connection with the residents develop as they revealed themselves both verbally and artistically while creating their collages. "It caused me to reflect on what the Fruit of the Spirit meant to me as I encouraged the residents to do the same."

The "Fruitful Living Celebration" was co-sponsored by Project Authentic Beauty (http://www.myimagejourney.com/cms/authentic-beauty/project-authenticbeauty/) which focuses on empowering women and girls to feel beautiful from the inside out. Project Authentic Beauty will assist the women in understanding their self image and inner, authentic beauty. They have committed to award an Image Journey Process to Cyndy Ridgeway, a Transitional Resident at Breakthru House and an Alumna of Breakthru' s treatment program. Cyndy shared her story and Image Journey Process at the "Fruitful Living Celebration" as inspiration for other Breakthru women.

About ZFusion
ZFusion utilizes creative expression and thinking to encourage and inspire young aspiring artists, at-risk youth and women. ZFusion's objective is to provide instructional seminars, special events, exhibitions and media production that employ creative expression as a means to empower oneself in addition to enlightening others.

About Breakthru House
Breakthru House is a long-term, residential treatment facility for women recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. They provide a structured, drug-free environment to help each woman experience physical, mental, emotional and spiritual recovery. Breakthru House was the first recovery residence for women in Georgia and is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. More information on Breakthru House can be found on their website at (http://www.breakthru.beliefinaction.com)

Media Contact: Azizi Blissett
678-723-4632

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