Mend On The Move

Haven

I enter the studio and scan the room; the makers (artists) are hunched over, meticulously working with metal and scraps. I am greeted with warm smiles yet feel a considerable energy shift in the space. The studio has an undeniable intimacy; I have interrupted their flow as a stranger. No doubt, the instant I step away, the makers will revert to a place of laughing, sharing, and co-creating.

The studio is modest yet functional and divided into sections to accommodate production demands. Unlike their angel donor —the space is graciously donated by Ford Motor Company; there is no automation, and all items produced here are handmade. The makers kindly detail the meaning of the eye-catching pieces. All the things are given meaningful names such as ‘Bent Not Broken, Better Together, and Clean Start’; the symbolism is not lost. One of the makers demonstrates the process of etching a heart to a piece of metal; she gently nestles the finished product in her hand, the pride is unmistakable.

Joanne Ewald, the founder, leads me to a separate studio area; gliding her hand across the leather remnants, she shares many product ideas swarming in her head. I am instantly struck by her enthusiasm; the excitement for the future is profound. The conversation turns to the makers, pausing to reflect, Joanne’s tone changes. Her eyes glaze over with tears; resilient, brave, courageous are just a few of the words she uses; she knows the maker’s stories, knows how far they have come, she is one proud mama.

I choke up and begin to grasp that Mend on the Move is not just a company; this is a haven, a carefully constructed nest where everything and everyone is valued and respected. It is a safe cocoon that promises grace and patience. Indeed, just like the beautiful jewelry, the makers are exceptional and essential—together, they tell a story of renewal.

There is a genuine sweetness that radiates from Joanne’s petite frame. She’s angelic, with sparkling eyes that flicker with hope. Her words are deliberate, not rehearsed, but introspective. She is forthcoming, her vulnerability is disarming, and her truths are difficult to process. However, her message of love and forgiveness inspires. 

Four

Four. The age she first remembers his touch feeling different. She had held his hand many times to cross the street, in parking lots, to get ice cream; his hands were safe until they weren’t. At the fragile age of four, Joanne learned that not all monsters hide in the bushes; some hide in plain sight, some share meals with you, and some you even call stepdad. And even though she didn’t fully understand or have the words, every inch of her knew it was wrong. 

The years came and went, she turned five, six, seven, with each passing year his bravado grew bigger and bolder, eight, nine, ten, she endured, eleven, twelve, thirteen years old, Joanne responded the only way she knew by doing as told and going quiet. In time, Joanne put words to her anguish, but like many survivors, she turned inward with a heavy dose of self-prescribed shame, fear, distrust, and self-loathe.

Thirteen

Thirteen. The age she found the courage to unlock her dark secret and reveal the truth to her mom. Joanne’s mom acted swiftly; they packed their bags and left. And for the first time in nine years, Joanne felt safe. Regrettably, it was short-lived; she was back sharing the dinner table with the monster within twenty-four hours. 

Fortunately, the abuse ended; sadly, Joanne relapsed back to survivor mode, became fluent in silence, piled on the guilt, withdrew, and suffered from depression and low self-esteem, which led to stretches of substance abuse and promiscuity. 

Abuse is never one-dimensional; layers upon layers exist. Perpetrators use intimidating tactics to assert power and ensure their victims feel defenseless. Oh, I get how easy it is to leap into twenty questions… 

How could anyone hurt a child?

How could a mother allow any of this? 

Why didn’t you speak up? 

Why did you stay? 

How could you live with the abuser? 

HOW, WHY, WHY, WHY, HOW..

Forming an impression from the outside is simple, but I have learned to put the gavel away and hold the judgment until I have walked a mile in their shoes. 

Stripping the layers, I discovered that Joanne had a close and loving relationship with her mother and that she, too, was a victim. Joanne remained silent to protect her mother from her stepfather’s wrath. So, yes, mother and daughter survived by clasping hands and sticking together. 

Thirty

Thirty. The age secrets began to unravel. Giving birth to her first child, cradling her baby girl, unable to reconcile her two worlds. Joanne declared; I will no longer carry the sins of my parents. And so began the long road to recovery.  

Unpacking years of abuse was challenging; however, she found art soothing and beneficial to her therapeutic process. Joanne also realized that she could connect and inspire other survivors to break the victim’s bondage. As her circle grew with women with equally heartbreaking stories, Joanne felt a nudge and asked herself,

Mend on the Move

In 2015, Mend on the Move was born. Mend employs survivors of abuse in metro Detroit to create jewelry that provides them with an income while they recover. The jewelry is crafted from salvaged auto parts symbolic of the women Mend serves. Joanne reminds the makers that we are not broken; we just need a little mending. 

Joanne recognizes that abuse often leads to homelessness, addiction, and other toxic avenues, choices usually made from a lack of financial stability. Scarcity leads many victims of abuse to employ harmful strategies for survival. Joanne is on a mission to change the outlook for survivors by providing a positive alternative; that is what Mend is: a sanctuary for victims to bloom. 

Sixty

Sixty. The number of makers that Mend has helped. Sixty lives transformed. For many, Mend is a stepping stone ultimately; Joanne’s wish is for all the makers to discover their passion and true purpose. Joanne is always there to hold their hand, encourage and serve as an example that anything is possible. 

In Their Words

I keep the makers nameless and faceless to protect their anonymity, but let me assure you they are neither. They are fearless, strong, talented, caring, beautiful, and powerful. And they have a voice, and what a voice it is…

Crafting with our hands is another way to work through our struggles, and it also carries on the stories to our customers, blessing other survivors who might be afraid to come forward. It becomes “a circle of Hope.”

Working with my fellow “Sisters” is a place for helping one another with daily life struggles, triumphs, and healing. We learn together to overcome fears and discover talents we never knew existed within us. 

I love working with all these women. We have different backgrounds, triggers, and traumas we are working through. It takes a lot of patience and understanding for us all. Lots of communication. Some days can be a bit of a challenge. But the beautiful part is that we are in a safe place. We are all committed to being compassionate and know that while we are healing, we may not be the very best version of ourselves. We need empathy and a shared goal of keeping this nonprofit running and growing.

I can learn new things at my age, and even when my self-esteem is still recovering, I can create and build items I didn’t think I could do. And that they turn out beautiful as well—that gives me hope for myself!

The makers personify ToGETherJOY, a sisterhood that celebrates and emboldens women—together we can do anything, together we are stronger, together is better. The makers are indeed illuminators.

Joanne

Joanne rejects the labels. She is not wounded or broken and interprets her life as a two-part series. The first was hurtful but necessary—she had to go through the storm to get to the other side, to appreciate who she really is, her strength. She’s still standing. It is the pain from her past that has led her to this moment, a life filled with purpose, making a difference in the lives of many.

I read somewhere that receiving God’s grace and extending it beyond ourselves is precisely what Jesus intended to teach us when he said, “The truth will set you free.” This passage summarizes Joanne’s journey; devotion to God is at the epicenter of her recovery. Strong faith has afforded her the strength to speak her truth. This has allowed her to show kindness, forgive, and help others. More importantly, releasing the pain has set her free. 

Today

We sit, her eyes gloss over, more tears, this time of gratitude. She considers her journey but only simmers in her past long enough to appreciate how far she has come. She is incredibly proud of Mend, but her work is not complete. Her primary goal remains—to help as many women as possible— and to encourage victims to feel all of it gently. For Joanne, this is the only path forward; ignoring and suppressing trauma is not the answer. She wants survivors to say it and name it. She tells me, ‘we talk about empowering survivors, but the truth is we have always had the power. Can you imagine a victim not being powerful— to battle the unthinkable? Survivors are the definition of empowerment; I aim to aid survivors in tapping into this, using their power, and persevering.’

Drop the Mic

I am fortunate to know many spectacular women (illuminators). Every so often, I stumble right into the arms of women who deeply tug at my heart; this is undoubtedly the case with the makers. 

Their resilience humbles me; if they can dig from the depths of pain and transform with purpose, mercy, and splendor, I can surely do my part to honor their journey.

The sincerity of Joanne’s words echoes in my heart; we have always had the power—how will you use your power?

For me, it starts with supporting the makers— our moral obligation as women, sisters, and mothers to nestle their mended hearts in our hands and say, we see you, hear you, and believe you. You matter and are worthy. We stand with you, shoulder to shoulder.

ToGETher in Flight,

Mic