After surviving multiple sexual assaults and a long term abusive situation, 16 year-old Julia discovered that navigating the world as a teenage survivor was both isolating and overwhelming. She had no idea how to handle the aftermath of her trauma, the complex feelings that go hand in hand with sexual violence, or how to reach out for help from her friends and family. Resources were hard to find and there were no safe or clear steps for Julia or her family to take in order to finally start healing. And so, taking matters into their own hands, Julia and her mom, Jamie, founded the organization, Survivors to Superheroes, which is currently filing for non-profit status. About a year and a half later, Sandy and Seth joined the board, and together, the four person team continued to build the foundation that the whole organization sits on today.

Survivors to Superheroes is dedicated to supporting survivors of all backgrounds and their loved ones through advocacy and creating original content and educational resources. By providing a platform where survivors can share their own stories, have their voices heard, and transform into superheroes, Survivors to Superheroes is here to empower survivors. Our organization imagines a future where every child, teen, and young adult is safe from all forms of sexual violence, and where no young person will live with the emotional and physical devastation of rape, sexual assault, and other sexually violent experiences.
One way in which we are working towards these goals and vision is through this literary journal, Songs of Survival. Julia learned early on that one of the best ways she could heal and process her trauma was by sharing her story in written form and, over time, writing became a cathartic and life saving outlet for her. She pursued a degree in Creative Writing and, paired with Jamie’s love for literature and training as a literary critic, the vision for Songs of Survival was born.