Art et contes en famille: An Initiative to Strengthen Family Ties among Immigrant and Refugee Families
By Caroline Beauregard, Fernanda Camejo, Laurence Gauthier, Katia Lemieux, Anabelle Segovia, and Maïté Simard.
Parc-Extension Youth Organization (PEYO) and Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
In the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Parc-Extension, an innovative project was launched to address the specific needs of immigrant and refugee families. In addition to facing the challenges of cultural and identity displacement, these families often contend with the repercussions of past trauma, discrimination, and precarious living conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these difficulties, further weakening family dynamics and increasing parental anxiety, with a heightened risk of domestic violence
The Power of Art et Contes en famille
The Parc-Extension Youth Organization (PEYO), in collaboration with the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), has launched a unique intervention research program entitled " Art et Contes en famille ". This program offers a series of workshops based on community art therapy, using storytelling and free artistic creations to provide a space for respite and strengthening family ties.
The " Art et Contes en famille " workshops were initially developed in a school setting before being adapted to a family and community context. They aim to reduce parental stress and improve family dynamics, using the therapeutic power of art to reduce anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms, while supporting the parent-child relationship.
A Knowledge Dissemination Component
The " Art et Contes en famille " project doesn't stop at workshops. A second component will focus on disseminating the knowledge acquired, notably through the creation of an intervention guide and information capsules. These resources will be made available to help other communities and organizations implement similar interventions, spreading the benefits observed among participating families.
In 2024, the "Art et Contes en famille" project will take part in a number of events, including:
- The 2024 CERDA conference , on October 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. (ET) in a workshop entitled Trajectoire de vie et trajectoires de services presented by Caroline Beaugrand, Katia Lemieux and Anabelle Segovia. To find out more, visit https://cerda.info/evenement/colloque-cerda-2024/ or download the conference brochure here.
At the special workshop-conference, participants will be invited to immerse themselves in an immersive experience of " Art et Contes en famille ". Two art therapists will discuss the impact of this intervention in both school and family settings, highlighting the specificities of each context. A researcher will then present a case study of an immigrant family, based on observation notes of free creations and directed drawings (Kinetic Family Drawing). This presentation will illustrate how the members of this family developed closer ties thanks to the arts, storytelling and multisensory experiences offered during the workshops.
- The North American Drama Therapy Association's annual conference from October 31 to November 3, 2024 in Toronto. To find out more, click here: https://www.nadta.org/annual-conference
Presentation by Anabelle Segovia, Dramatherapist with the "Art et Contes en famille " project: Immigration can be a source of toxic stress for families. Intervening through art not only creates hope, resilience and a safe space at home, but also strengthens family bonds. This experiential workshop explores the "Art et Contes en famille» intervention in the context of research focused on a predominantly immigrant neighborhood. A unique opportunity to explore how art can transform and restore family dynamics in a context of high stress.
The "Art et Contes en famille" project doesn't stop with the workshops. A second component will focus on disseminating the knowledge acquired, notably through the creation of an intervention guide and information capsules. These resources will be made available to help other communities and organizations implement similar interventions, in order to spread the benefits observed among participating families.
An Inspiring Project for the Future
"Art et Contes en famille" represents a beacon of hope for many immigrant and refugee families, offering a safe space where creativity and storytelling become powerful tools for resilience and strengthening family ties. This project illustrates how a community can mobilize to support its most vulnerable members, using innovative and profoundly human approaches.
PEYO Arts and "Art et Contes en famille" videos
Discover highlights and testimonials from the "Art et Contes en famille" project. Through these videos, immerse yourself in the creative world where art and storytelling become powerful tools for strengthening family bonds, promoting resilience and creating a space for safety and expression within homes.
1. Introduction to the Project
A general presentation of the "PEYO Arts and Tales" project, its objectives, and its impact on immigrant communities.
Art et Contes Interview 2023- Jensen.mov
2. Workshops in Action
Extracts from art and storytelling workshops, showing the creative processes underway and the involvement of participants.
Website: https://www.peyo.org/
Community of Practice members:.
Fernanda Camejo
Fernanda Camejo is the coordinator of the Art et Contes project at PEYO, Parc-Extension Youth Organization. She is a dedicated educator and artist with a solid background and experience. She immigrated with her family from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Montreal in her childhood, allowing her to enrich her life with the influences of both cities and cultures, and to become sensitive to the issues of immigration and interculturality.
She earned her degree in Art Therapy from the ITACA School in Montevideo and continued her education with studies in visual arts and Logotherapy. With this educational foundation, Fernanda has developed programs that promote emotional, cognitive, and physical development in various groups. Between 2012 and 2021, she worked as a drama teacher for elementary students at the Lycée Français "Jules Supervielle" in Montevideo, stimulating the creativity and personal development of children through interactive pedagogical activities. She also played a crucial role as an art therapist at the C.R.E.A. Vida Addiction Recovery Clinic at the Ospedale Italiano in Montevideo from 2009 to 2016, using artistic and therapeutic techniques to help individuals express their emotions and overcome addiction-related challenges.She has also used her skills and knowledge to implement projects aimed at facilitating emotional management in women's circles and groups of elderly individuals. With international experience in dramatic arts, including her participation in the Mutanteatro Company in Uruguay and various theatrical activities in Montreal, Fernanda is a versatile professional committed to helping others through artistic intervention and education.
