Choose The Bear Tour: Blogs and Interviews
I spent eight weeks pedaling across Michigan while interviewing people about gender-based violence and economic abuse.
The Choose the Bear Tour was envisioned by orsa credit union: a Michigan-based, for-impact credit union that invests in financial infrastructure for survivors of domestic abuse.
Everyone I interviewed came from orsa’s network of experienced frontline partners, which include Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Uniting Three Fires Against Violence , The Women’s Center, Hope Shores Alliance, Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, River House, First Step, HAVEN, The House of Kadence, and On the Wings of Angels.
These are the interview transcripts and blogs from the journey.
An eight-week bike ride for women’s safety and autonomy.
We talked about JoJo’s path to On The Wings of Angels, examples of financial abuse, and why community is so crucial for survivors.
On The Wings of Angels provides immediate support for survivors of domestic violence.
We talked about HAVEN’s 51 year history, Christine’s background in law enforcement, and the complexity of advocating for survivors.
In its 51st year, HAVEN continues to pull domestic violence out of the shadows and into the light.
Part 1 introduces the UTFAV team, and explores some of the legal and systemic issues that impact Indigenous people’s safety in Michigan.
Part 2 explores personal stories of financial abuse, the tragedy of Missing or Murdered Indigenous women, and hope for the future.
Uniting Three Fires Against Violence embodies its mission to end systemic violence against Native people.
After touring the Women's Resource Center, our conversation shifted to people’s perceptions of domestic violence and the realities survivors face beyond the crisis itself.
Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan sees domestic violence as a spectrum of control.
Hope Shores Alliance creates the community that survivors need.
Part 1 explores MCEDSV’s survivor-driven approach to advocacy.
Part 2 explores domestic violence as a universal human experience, social inequalities and intersectionality, and the long view of advocacy as a social movement.
Part 3 explores financial abuse and economic control.
What does it really mean to support survivors? A conversation with Michigan advocates starts with one simple idea: believe them.
Reflections on The Choose The Bear Tour.
