A Message from the Founder:

"I started the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2002 to help survivors of sexual assault heal their minds, bodies and spirits and reclaim their lives. Playing Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit opened my eyes to the epidemic of sexual assault in this country. It wasn't just in the scripts for the show, but in the many emails I received from viewers disclosing their stories of sexual assault for the first time.

I felt a great responsibility to these brave women to let them know that they had been heard and that they could have hope. I studied the subject, trained to become a crisis counselor, and have used my visibility as an actress to become an advocate. The result was The Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support and encouragement for survivors of sexual assault.

In creating programs for our members, we quickly realized that everyone heals differently. We provide an extensive network of resources for women and our own groundbreaking retreats that include art therapy, surf camps, swimming with dolphins in the wild, yoga and writing workshops that complement traditional counseling and therapy. When women are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in--to banish the darkness and let the healing begin."

– Mariska Hargitay, President & Founder, Joyful Heart Foundation

Joyful Heart's Mission and Vision

Retreat and Wellness Programs

At the center of JHF are our retreat and wellness programs. We take survivors out of their everyday roles and responsibilities for a holistic healing experience. JHF offers retreat programs in Hawaii, Urban Retreats throughout the country and Wellness Festivals in urban settings. Programs are designed to provide safety and encouragement for survivors to try new therapies, build self-confidence and enhance creativity while supporting the healing process. Participants on retreats may sample: art therapy, guided writing, body work, group dialogue and sharing circles, balanced meals, surfing lessons, yoga and meditation, and time in the ocean to explore and swims with wild dolphins. We work in association with world-renowned rape crisis centers to provide the support of clinical professionals before, during, and after each program. Through a combination of activities, our retreats provide a well-balanced and meaningful experience that stay with participants for a lifetime to come.

Teen Empowerment

JHF aims to encourage young women to trust their instinct and make good decisions for themselves. We provide resources on how to reduce the risk of harm and create a support system that works. Our goal is to supply teens with tools that help them live healthy, safe lives where they see the power of their own potential. JHF has developed partnerships and programs with several organizations that will focus on this demographic that is often overlooked and talked down to. Most recently, JHF has joined forces with The Girl Scouts of Greater New York and will reach over 800 teens yearly through innovative esteem building programs.

Resources and Coalition Building

Our website resource section and staff connect survivors to an extensive network of crisis centers and mental health facilities locally and nationally. We provide information on alternative therapies and explore ways to help heal on a daily basis. We support the work of crisis centers nationwide and aim to assist them in learning from each other to increase the dialogue on collaboratively ending violence.