Caught Caring: Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation

When Mariska Hargitay signed on to play Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 1999, little did she know just how much the role would change her life. Not only did it establish the 45-year-old mom-of-one as an Emmy Award-winning actress, it also opened her eyes to what she calls a “silenced epidemic of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse in this country.” Not long after SVU began airing, Mariska found herself inundated with letters from crime victims who shared their stories of abuse — often for the first time.

Moved by what she read, Mariska began studying to become a crisis counselor herself and from that experience the Joyful Heart Foundation was born. Dedicated to educating and empowering survivors of abuse, Joyful Heart hosts week-long retreats for both victims and caregivers where creative healing techniques are learned and applied. The organization also offers free and open monthly events for survivors in their local communities and provides workshops in domestic violence shelters throughout the country. Writes Mariska,

“When people 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.”

The programs offered by Joyful Heart are funded by donations as well as by proceeds from the sale of various items available in the foundation’s Heartshop. For more ideas on how you can help, click here.

Together with husband Peter Hermann, Mariska is mom to 3-year-old August Miklos Friedrich.

Bauer-Griffin

Comments

I love Mariska and I think that her foundation is AMAZING!Most actress’s act their part and then leave, forgetting the effect there part will have on other people, but not Mariska. I’m sure her parents, are looking down on her and are both extremely proud of her for what she has done for women of abuse. And that is why Mariska is my hero!

- vicky24c on July 30th, 2009

Oh my he is just about gorgeous!! what a beautiful little boy.. course what would i expect with a momma like her!! i love her on SVU and everything i have read about her is nothing but good!

- melissa on July 30th, 2009

Amazing Foundation. She does Hollywood proud.

- Dell on July 30th, 2009

Mariska is a myth for me! I think very highly of her. She is amazing and the JHF is as extraordinary as she is…

- gio on July 30th, 2009

I ♥ this pic!!

- Crystal on July 30th, 2009

OMG check out his lashes…He is so damn cute

- Ava on July 30th, 2009

August is by far my favorite celeb babe. He is going to make girls swoon over him.

- Lisa on July 30th, 2009

She seems like a smart and kind woman,what a wonderful cause to support!

- eva on July 30th, 2009

She’s one of my favourite actors, and this is one of the reasons why! I love that Mariska is supporting women who have been abused, she’s very much a role model!

- Jane on July 31st, 2009

I wish they had a place like JHF when I was a kid. It would have helped me so much to know that I wasn’t alone. I suppose that’s why I admire MH so much. You can tell she does care about the impact her character and the show have on so many people.

And little August is growing so fast! He will be a heartbreaker when he grows up!

- Katz on July 31st, 2009

she’s an angel!!

- Yudani on August 1st, 2009

Her foundation sounds amazing—just like the woman herself.

- FC on August 4th, 2009

I truly admire what she does. It is phenomenal. MH you are truly an angel sent from up above. Just by watching Law and Order SVU, I was inspired to great things. Thank you Det. Oliva Benson. You are an inspiration.

- Angie Williams on December 27th, 2009