Dear Readers,

It’s been a challenging year thus far for many of us, with new challenges and old demons to face. Life seems to get harder as an adult, with additional and at times, unforeseeable responsibilities. When situations become too difficult to bear sometimes, I look to the children we work with as a reminder that we must all possess the fortitude to carry on.

This year marks our third anniversary of Spilt Arts. Since its inception, we have encountered hundreds of young people who overcome significant emotional and socio-economic challenges on a daily basis. As much as being an adult is hard, being a child who feels powerless is even harder. This issue is dedicated to everyone who has felt powerless at a certain point in life. Despite the dark abyss that life can be, there are moments of levity that give us hope and we endure. The kids we work with, the countless people who have showed us kindness and who we consider to be unsung heroes, and the small victories we experience everyday give me hope that we can all make a difference in the world.

Our Hero, Nola Brantley, is a motivational speaker and trafficking consultant who I had the pleasure of meeting two years ago. Her presentation was emotionally draining in the best way, yet energizing because she is an example of someone who has undergone tremendous transformation; from a child who was sexually abused and trafficked, to a woman with a clear voice and vision for a world where every child has the opportunity to truly live without fearing for his or her safety.

I hope the words we have published in this issue give you a chance to pause and reflect with the realization that you are not alone in your struggles.

 

Thank You,

Christina Han
Editor-in-Chief