Sounds You Can’t Forget. Sorrow You Can’t Ignore.
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Typical media approaches to raising awareness about child abuse and domestic violence generate some results, but not in a lasting way. We needed to reach people on many levels – not just with their eyes and ears. We needed an immersion experience. And The Lisa Project was born.
Tragedy-fatigue.
In this multi-media, information-overload age, we are inundated with a constant barrage of stories that demand our sympathy, emotion, and assistance.
As a local non-profit agency, our challenge was clear: How can we cut through the clutter of information with our message, and make it stick? We didn’t just want people to hear our message, we wanted them to feel it.
We could achieve a high impression rate with mass media. Billboard, radio, television, and print ads could certainly being us the numbers. But we wanted a more personal approach. One that would give us high impact, a direct connection for follow up, and ultimately an attitude shift and behavior change.
With a background in video production, CAPC staffer, Gene Hardin suggested that we create an exhibit that would allow a child to figuratively, take the visitor by the hand and walk them through their life as an abused child.
The vision was this: Develop a multi-sensory exhibit that would immerse the visitor into the world of child abuse and domestic violence. Much like a museum exhibit, the visitor is given an iPod and ear buds that would walk them through a self-guided tour. As the visitor walks through the exhibit, they experience the environment, the smells, and hear the stories of children who had experienced various forms of abuse ranging from gross neglect, to domestic violence, to physical and emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.
CAPC staff developed the script (based on actual stories) and blueprints for set design and construction replicating a kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom and hallways. Volunteers assisted with the construction, propping, and voice recordings.
Now that it was built, would anyone come?
They did. Over 5,500 people walked through the 25 minute exhibit. And lives were changed.
The impact was so great that other counties heard about it, and came. And then asked the CAPC to bring “Lisa” to their community.
To achieve portability, The Lisa Project was rebuilt into two modular buildings that are towed from location to location. Since its’ beginning, “Lisa” has been visited by over 40,000 people in cities like Stockton, Visalia, Bakersfield, Rancho Cucamonga, Sacramento, Colton, Victorville, Manteca, and Lodi.
While the initial purpose of this exhibit was to raise awareness, the unique format has fostered a second purpose: to connect people to resources and service providers in the community to help break these cycles of violence and abuse. In each community, The Lisa Project taps into local child welfare stake holders for volunteers who staff the exhibit and provide information on local resources.
Counselors are also on-hand to speak with anyone who may need help.
As they leave, guests are given several handouts of literature and phone numbers connecting them to various resources in the community.
The Lisa Project has made good on its promise to raise awareness, change attitudes and lives.
More About This Charity
Region
West
Category
Most Effective Awareness Campaign by a Charity
Name
San Joaquin County Child Abuse Prevention Council
Mission
We are committed to reducing child abuse through outcome driven program delivered with compassion.
Impact
- This Achievement raised $314,000
- This charity raised $350,000 in the past year
- This Achievement helped 40,000 people
- This charity helped 25,000 people in the past year
- Over 40,000 visitors have experienced this unique and impactful method to raise public awareness of child abuse and domestic violence.
Works In
United States
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