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Background: Hubs of Expressive Arts for Life (HEAL) Project is a four-year, community-based implementation research initiative, using trauma-informed expressive arts, to support newcomer women survivors of gender-based domestic violence (GBDV). Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, HEAL responds to rising violence and mental health among immigrant women.

Objectives: This workshop will guide participants through an experiential expressive-arts process to share key project findings and insights. The session will demonstrate how arts-based, community interventions can effectively support trauma healing and improve health outcomes for newcomer communities. Finally, present the organizational and policy implications.

Methods: Initially, implementation programs and the trauma- and violence-informed facilitation practices were identified through a literature review and an environmental scan. These theoretical practice frameworks were tested by expert consultations as co-design strategies with relevant researchers, survivors, academics, practitioners, and the service providers. An outcome-harvesting evaluation approach helped to capture yields holistically. Data collected for this mixed-methods study were analyzed thematically using standard, validated protocols.

Insights: Piloted among six newcomer groups, participants reported improvements in emotional regulation, self-efficacy, belonging, and community engagement. Organizations strengthened their capacity in trauma-informed facilitation, reflective supervision, and arts integration. System-level insights show that culturally grounded arts models reduce access barriers, build trusted support networks, and enhance cross-sector collaboration.

Implications: HEAL provides a replicable model for creative care that connects the settlement, health, and arts sectors. This workshop shows how expressive arts is a therapeutic and preventive tool to shape policy, interprofessional practice, and sustainable arts-in-medicine programs to address GBDV in newcomer communities.