The Tampa Bay area offers no shortage of parties and events to take part in throughout the year, but the celebration at The USF Embassy Suites on April 12th was  something truly special. Months of planning, hard-work, and creativity were realized  when the Voices of Strength survivor CD was officially released to the public.

The Voices of Strength survivor CD recording is a project of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's empowerment program. The CD was developed to empower survivors, giving  them an outlet to carry messages of help, hope and healing and the opportunity to support the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

The CD is a compilation of original works, all written, performed and recorded by survivors in their own unscripted words, resulting in an awe-inspiring anthology of hope. Professional studio time was donated by Bay Drive Sound Studios. The CD provides survivors with a platform to raise their voices and tell their stories. It showcases the many talents of survivors, highlights their inspirational journeys,  

and carries a positive message that lets other survivors know that healing is possible.

The purpose of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's empowerment program is to provide a safe and healing space that fosters opportunities for transformation and resiliency to survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, abuse, and human trafficking. The  program promotes support for survivors through the process of breaking the isolation  perpetuated by sexual violence with the formation of a community of survivors. The  empowerment program was born out of the concept that survivors helping and  supporting survivors has an immense reciprocal impact. As survivors break the isolation and honor their resiliency, they begin the process  

of the identification of self.

The Voices of Strength survivor CD is available for a gift of $20 or more to The Crisis  Center of Tampa Bay. To obtain a copy, please Marilyn Shamblin, Outreach and  Empowerment Coordinator at mshamblin@gmail.com or 813-969-4983.