The Mission of the CFAR Recovery Flag Project:

Lindsay Age 11

To preserve, care for, and use the Recovery Flag to foster healing, heighten awareness, and inspire action in the struggle against alcoholism and other drug addiction.

The Goals of the Recovery Flag

To provide a creative means for hope and healing, to effectively illustrate the enormity of the addiction epidemic, to increase awareness of the disease of addiction throughout the general public, to assist others in providing education on the prevention of addiction, and to raise funds for community-based children’s programs.

The CFAR Project uses the Recovery Flag to help break the intergenerational cycle of addiction in families.

Founded in 2008, the Recovery Flag is a moving tribute, a powerful tool for use in preventing addiction.

The Recovery Flag, patterned after “the Tibetan Prayer Flag” is made by children of alcoholics (and other addictions) of all ages.  Every one of the colorful mandala panels that make up the flag symbolizes the life of a person affected by the disease of addiction (alcoholism or other drug dependence). Click here to view the mandala panels.

As the epidemic continues claiming lives around the world and here in the United States, the Flag continues to grow and to reach more communities with its messages of awareness, healing and hope.

Make a Mandala for the Flag

You do not have to be an artist or sewing expert to create a moving personal tribute honoring a child affected by the disease of addiction, but you do have to make a mandala in order to add a panel to the flag. It is not as complicated as many people think, though. It does not matter if you use paint or fine needlework, iron-on transfers or hand made appliqués, or even spray paint on a sheet; any remembrance is appropriate. (This is however, the only way to have a mandala added to the flag- by making a mandala to honor a child at risk.)

You may choose to create a mandala privately as a personal reminder or you may choose to follow the traditions of old-fashioned “Tibetan Prayer Flag” makers and include friends and family, That choice, like virtually everything else involved in making a mandala, is completely up to you.

Here are a few easy steps on how to create a mandala for the flag:

Design the Mandala

Choose your materials

Remember that the flag is rolled and unrolled every time it is displayed, so durability is crucial. Since glue deteriorates with time, it is best to screen directly on the mandala or sew the mandala to a panel. A medium-weight, non-stretch fabric such as a cotton duck or poplin works best.

Your mandala must have a circumference of 7 inches, no more and no less.  The actual panel is horizontal; finished the panel is 8 ½ X 11 inches.  When you cut the mandala, do so along the exact line, insuring a 7-inch circumference.

Create the Mandala

In constructing your mandala, you might want to use some of the following techniques:

    * Appliqué: Sew fabric, letters and small mementos onto the mandala. Do not rely on glue - it will not last.

    * Paint: Brush on textile paint or colorfast dye, or use an indelible ink pen. Please do not use "puffy" paint; it is too sticky.

    * Stencils: Trace your design onto the mandala with a pencil, lift the stencil, and then use a brush to apply textile paint or indelible markers.

    * Collage: Make sure that whatever materials you add to the mandala will not tear the fabric (avoid glass and sequins for this reason), and be sure to avoid very bulky objects.

    * Photos: The best way to include photos or letters is to photocopy them onto iron-on transfers, iron them onto 100% cotton fabric and sew that fabric to the mandala. You may also put the photo in clear plastic vinyl and sew it to the mandala (off-center so it avoids the fold).

Fill out the Mandala maker information form.

This form provides us with vital information about you and your mandala.

Send Us the Mandala

Once your mandala is completed there are several ways you can submit it to the CFAR Project so that it becomes a part of the Recovery Flag.

You may send it via regular mail to SpiritWorks Foundation, 5800 Mooretown Rd, Williamsburg, VA  23188, you may send it via email as an attachment or you may personally drop it off at the Recovery Center (see above address).

Write us a letter

Please take the time to write a letter to recovery.  The letter might include your age, how the disease of addiction has affected your life, and a favorite memory. If possible, please send us a photograph along with the letter for our archives.  Your letter may be included (with your permission) in the display with the Flag with your first name and age, if appropriate.
 

Make a donation

If you are able, please make a donation to help pay for the cost of adding your mandala to the flag. The CFAR Project depends on the support of panel makers to preserve the flag and keep it on display.

Gifts of any amount are welcome and greatly appreciated.