The Maria Project began as a theatrical investigation into the life of Maria Salazar. "Giving her a voice through the theater and telling her story was very important to me - a life calling," states granddaughter, Marcella Goheen. "When a person is murdered, they've lost their voice. It's important to work in their dignity and honor, so these moments happens less. So many families hide the secret of tragic moments, that if were released and spoken about ~ could heal wounds for generations to come."
The Maria Project, after partnering with organizations nationwide, debuted an Off-Broadway run during Women's History Month in 2012. From this initiative, The Maria Project developed a mission to continue to create innovative ways to invite the general public to be active in the solution to healing violence in families through awareness, education and prevention efforts. Partnering with over 80 organizations over the past four years, The Maria Project continues to build its collaborative community whose sole aim is to transform the public's response to this issue - creating a safe society supporting the survivor to heal, and not live in shame.
We work daily to match the spirit and resilience of all survivors. The trauma that generational abuse creates is fragile. The Maria Project works from joy and hope to create spaces to heal - through theater, writing, and innovative awareness events.
2010 ~ The Maria Project Plays to New York area domestic violence organizations including Center Against Domestic Violence, Sanctuary for Families, Jewish Board of Family Services, New York Police Department, Barrier Free Living, Good Shepard Family Services, and Safe Homes Project. The Maria Project receives a proclamation from Mayor's Office of New York City proclaiming October 13, 2013 The Maria Project Day.
2011 ~ The Maria Project Creates the Reverberations Summit at the DR2 hosting Arab-American Family Services Center, Sanctuary for Families, Barrier Free Living, Jewish Board of Family Services, Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence, and Violence Intervention Program.
2012 ~ The Maria Project Premieres Off-Broadway at 59E59 Street Theatres for four weeks during Women's History Month, 2012.
2013 ~ The Maria Project Develops a shelter-based curriculum entitled CODES OF HOPE, funded by the Office on Women's Health. "Living Voices" published by The Maria Project, a survivor's handbook hosting 30 stories of women in shelters throughout all five-boroughs of New York, is distributed at the New York Justice Centers (Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn).
2014 ~ The Maria Project Produces a Hope Tour with Maria's Voice Featuring Savion Glover, giving voice and giving peace to all of the Maria's of the world in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2014. #MariaLives
2015 ~ The Maria Project produces a radio ready interview piece on domestic violence and sexual assault with leaders in the education, prevention and legal services.
2016 ~ The Maria Project inaugurates Maria's Haven, a healing curriculum hosted in the beautiful setting of Maine during July of each year to aid survivors to continue their integration back into a healthy life.