Healing Through Creativity: Candles & Community

On May 26, 2026, a special candle-making workshop brought creativity, healing, and empowerment to a group of young people participating in the Domestic Abuse Program at Care House of Oakland County. The event provided a safe and supportive space where children and young adults who have experienced domestic abuse could express themselves through crafting while continuing their journey toward improved mental and emotional well-being. Stefiny, the owner of True Royal Universe, walked through the doors ready to give back to the kids and provide ways for them to work past their trauma through candle making.

Across the United States, millions of children are exposed to domestic violence each year. Many experts estimate that between 10 and 15 million children witness or experience domestic violence annually. These children range from toddlers to teenagers, carrying burdens far heavier than anyone their age should have to bear. Some struggle with anxiety, depression, trust issues, or feelings of isolation. Others simply need a safe space where they can be kids again. Some of the best ways to get these youth to open up is through crafting. Candle making was all about helping children discover that even after darkness, they can still create light.

The candle-making session was designed to be more than just a creative activity. It served as an opportunity for participants to explore self-expression, build confidence, and reflect on their personal growth. Each participant was encouraged to create a candle that represented their individuality and hopes for the future. For the children and young adults participating in the Domestic Abuse Program at Care House of Okland County, the candle-making workshop offered exactly that. A sense of liberty and peace of mind through simple expressions.

Throughout the workshop, the young people selected their own fragrance combinations, carefully choosing scents that brought them comfort, happiness, or peace. They personalized their candles with glitter, dried flowers, and inspirational stickers featuring positive messages. Every candle became a unique reflection of its creator—a symbol of resilience, strength, and healing.

The room quickly filled with excitement as participants began creating candles that reflected their personalities while feeling free and able to be themselves. One young person describing their love for the 90's and early 2000's boy group NSYNC, while others spoke about their home country and things they liked the most about where they came from. What may have looked like a simple craft project from the outside was actually something much deeper. Every scent chosen was a decision. Every flower placed was an expression. Every sticker applied was a reminder that their story is still being written.

As therapists sat alongside the children, creating candles of their own, the barriers that often exist in traditional therapeutic settings began to soften. Conversations flowed naturally. Laughter emerged. Creativity opened doors that words cannot.

Research consistently shows that creative activities can play a significant role in helping children process trauma. Art, crafting, journaling, music, and other forms of creative expression allow young people to communicate emotions they may not yet be able to verbalize. Creative outlets can reduce 

• stress, 
• improve emotional regulation
• build confidence
•  provide a sense of control—

something many survivors of abuse have been denied.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the day came after the candles were finished.

Each participant received a new journal and was asked to reflect on two important questions:

• "How can I become the best version of myself?"

• "How can I help make the world around me better?"

For children who have experienced domestic violence, these questions are transformative.

Trauma often teaches people to focus on survival. These questions encouraged them to focus on possibility. They were imagining what they could contribute. They were envisioning change. They were discovering purpose.

Care House of Oakland County continues to provide vital support and resources for children and families impacted by abuse. Events like this candle-making workshop demonstrate the importance of combining therapeutic support with creative experiences that inspire hope, resilience, and community engagement.

A candle does not erase darkness. It doesn't pretend darkness never existed. Instead, it shines despite it. That is what healing often looks like. It is not forgetting. It is not pretending the pain never happened. It is choosing to move forward, one small light at a time.

The children who attended this workshop left with beautiful handmade candles, journals filled with hopes and dreams, and perhaps something even more valuable—a reminder that they are strong, creative, capable, and worthy of a bright future.

The impact of domestic violence can last for years, but so can the impact of compassion, creativity, and community support. Those children created more than candles. They created hope, and sometimes, hope is where healing begins.