Judith Dawn Memorial Fund for the Arts
A message from Ms. Jean Cozier:
The Judith Dawn Memorial Fund was established at Zacharias Center in memory of my cousin, Judith Dawn Hickey, an artist and sexual abuse survivor.
Judith died in January of 1998 from complications resulting from colon cancer. During our last days together, she told me that she'd like to see me create a program that would enable survivors like ourselves to study the arts. Out of her dream and my promise to her, this program was born.
Whether you wish to develop as an artist, or study the arts as a means of self-expression and empowerment, this program is for you.
Please help me keep a promise and fulfill a dream.
The Judith Dawn Memorial Fund is a scholarship program for the pursuit of artistic endeavors offered to sexual assault and abuse survivors through Zacharias Center.
General Information
The Judith Dawn Memorial Fund strives to recognize and support sexual assault and abuse survivors who are interested in pursuing artistic endeavors as a continuation of the lifelong healing process. Such endeavors may include any of the expressive arts listed below, and funds may be applied to related classes, private instruction, equipment, materials, and other fees. The Judith Dawn Memorial Fund wishes to offer this gift to individuals age 18 and over. A total of $5,000 is available each funding year, which runs from June to June.
Criteria
To be eligible for these funds, the individual must self-identify as a survivor of sexual assault or sexual abuse. The funds must be used in pursuit of an artistic endeavor such as dance, film/video, graphic arts, music, painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, theater/drama, or writing/poetry. Other expressive arts may be considered at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Applicants must reside in Lake, Cook, or McHenry counties in Illinois, or in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
How to Apply
All applicants must complete the
application form* and submit it along with one or more letters of recommendation.
The recommendation(s) should be offered by an individual familiar with
the applicant's interest in the arts and with the impact such pursuits
may have on her/his healing process as a sexual assault or sexual abuse
survivor. Applicants may also be invited to meet with the Selection Committee
for an interview before funding decisions are made.
*The application form lists deadlines as Dec. 31 and Jun. 30, but they have been changed to Feb. 15 and Aug. 15. Also the contact email in the form is incorrect and should be info@ZCenter.org.
Applicants are welcome to submit supplementary materials, such as copies or artwork, poetry, etc. Unfortunately, such items will not be returned to the applicant, so they should not include any original works.
Deadline and Notification
Applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision by mail or telephone within 6 weeks of receipt of all the application materials. All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the Selection Committee.
Send your completed application and letter(s) of recommendation to:
Judith Dawn Memorial Fund
Zacharias Center
4275 Grand Avenue
Gurnee, IL 60031
History
The Judith Dawn Memorial Fund was established at Zacharias Center in memory of Judith Dawn Hickey, an artist and sexual abuse survivor. Its purpose is to provide funds for other survivors who wish to pursue the creative arts as a means of healing, empowerment, and self-expression. Judith died in January 1998, at the age of forty-eight, from complications resulting from colon cancer. Throughout her life she pursued her healing through involvement in adult sexual abuse survivor groups, recovery programs, individual therapy, and finally, through her artwork. Her paintings are currently in private collections and in several galleries and other showcases in the San Diego area, where she was born and spent her adult life.
Other examples of her work can be seen at Zacharias Center and several other area agencies that support and counsel sexual assault and abuse survivors. Shortly before her death, she expressed a wish to have a program established through which other survivors could find the healing she found by pursuing her natural talent as an artist. Funding for the Judith Dawn Memorial Fund for the Arts is provided entirely through private donations from a relative of Judith's who is also a sexual abuse survivor.
To learn more about Judith Dawn, go to www.dearjudith.org.