Tara Coury started volunteering at the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center of Cleveland as a 14-year-old. It was during the children's art therapy sessions that she noticed a lack of literature aimed at kids displaced by domestic abuse.
"We had read a lot of books to the kids about violence and bullying, and bad behavior related to violence, but there was nothing specifically about having to leave your home and go live in a shelter," Coury says.
Taking four years to complete, The Safe House features more than 30 pages of text and full-color illustrations, all by Coury.
"It's about what it's like to be in a domestic violence situation and, specifically, what it's like to transition into a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence," says Coury.
Her book is available on Amazon ($19.95) with all proceeds going to the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center of Cleveland.
"I'm hoping it will help [the kids] with their experience, especially if they're reading it in shelters," says Coury, now 18. "Hopefully it will raise awareness of what these families have to go through."
