On The Inside December 2023
Welcome to December. This month, we focus on the stories of the people we serve- how they have changed, and how our work has supported growth. I invite you to sit in your favorite chair, grab your favorite warm drink, and get cozy as you take in these rich words from the women/men whom we have worked with inside prison facilities, and now outside prison facilities. Stories shape us, change us, transform us. We have been lucky to work with some amazing individuals over the last three years and we highlight many of them in this month’s newsletter.
Here you will meet Sharnique, Crishna, AJay, Jennifer, and Caroline.
Students of ours that began inside and have moved outside.
If you are able to support our growth in the year ahead, we invite you to do so in the following ways:
Meet Sharnique-
Hello my name Sharnique Jones from St.Louis, Missouri. The one thing that I've learned and that's kept me coming back is that I can be myself. With this class I can finally see the little girl on the Inside.
When the pain is all I have,
Why should I let go?
Everyone is looking at me,
But no one sees her.
When she is screaming for help,
How come no one hears me?
When the acid that flows,
Leaves a trail of uglyless
So why would I cry?
Watching the flames of my past
Reflect in every mirror that I see.
How can we be set free?
How can I be found
When she was lost for so long?
-Sharnique
Meet Crishna-
Over the few past years of my life I've been coming more into myself,with leaving a former self and an identity that has somewhat hindered not only my spirit but my way of thinking. I was in prison at NCCW, YORK, a women's "correctional" facility in Nebraska, for a crime that didn't fit the bill. Not only did I feel hopeless at the time because of the grieving and losses I had been going through, but from the justice system not being productive in the fields of looking into things because there is more than one side to the story. I'm grateful though because it was a field study of my own choice ,code name beyond the looking glass. I became empowered when I got my set of wings for flight into my next step of not only being me but identifying prior issues and having the little bits of support while doing so.
I stumbled across On The Inside while in prison and contacted them further when I came home because of the work that they do with the arts. Love is ,was and shall always be the focal point,which is why I reached out to them. When we heal or find a spot in our mind where there is an area for growth we allow it to be open and vulnerable. We do so by giving the way for new ideas and life to set forth ,even in the darkest of places. I find when I'm around others like myself, that are authentic and ready to be thyself at all times, I thrive. The world is at a war with itself and yet we're told it's us and our ways of living. So we seek refuge where it is easiest when we are falling short of our own demise or vice, whatever it may be,and mine has always been love. Either you have love or you don't. You give love or you won't. You grow love where the weeds have lorn and choose to walk amongst the thorns to a garden of eden without the Eve. but the sun and the moon are our constants. Now I reference the sun and the moon because they shine all the time even if it's only partially. Even on a cloudy day the sun tries to radiate around, just like the group "On The Inside".
One of the best things and most empowering things I've taken from this class, group, and humans that form it is:
I've solidified being a voice in a crowded room of silence,where some have eyes, but refuse to look,and some have mouths but refuse to speak, and they all have ears but choose not to use them by listening. So I thank On The Inside for not only working with the prisoners on the inside but finding what it is that can change recidivism while working with others on the outside. Strength comes in numbers and it starts with one, because we are all one ,and it starts from love. Love is the language. Love is the religion, and love is the air I breathe and skip, and most of all it's free.
----Crishna Indigo Harris for U.ND.I & Casa De Helena
Meet AJay-
Hi, my name is AJay aka Amanda Sullivan. When I first heard about "On The Inside", I was under the impression it was along the lines of a "scared straight" program. I immediately signed up. When I finally read the full description of the class posted on the wall I was a bit surprised to find out that it was a creative writing class. Then discouraged because there was nothing creative about my writing. I showed up for the first day of class though because there were only 20 slots available, and I was picked to fill one of those slots.
Long story short, this class helped me discover a creative talent I had. There was an assignment titled "What Love looked like 10 years ago VS What Love looks like now". I decided I was going to try and draw and that's what I did. To my surprise, it was kind of good! It later inspired me to write a children's book and illustrate it myself. I've completed two books now and am currently in the process of trying to get them published. I wrote these books for my daughter who was told, by a bully in school, that I didn't love her because I was in prison. She is 7 years old and I know that she isn't the only one who hears things like this because lots of children have incarcerated parents.
There was another assignment where we had to write letters to our sisters. This assignment played a huge part in the healing process for me and my relationship with my sister. I wrote a letter to her and one to her boyfriend's sister. Her boyfriend had passed away due to an overdose a couple of weeks before this assignment and I blamed my sister. I was able to get out how I felt about the situation and was able to process all that was happening in this class. Although I wrote both sisters the letter, I never sent them. Just being able to put how I felt on paper and then read and process that in the class has helped me in so many ways.
These are just a couple of things that I got from taking the class while in prison. I am home now and it still impacts my everyday life. They offer classes "On The Outside" that are just as encouraging, creative, and inspiring. It still amazes me that a class I took, only because I thought it was something else, has completely changed my life. I know now that it was a "God thing" and that everything happens the way it's supposed to.
There is something about this creative class that brings healing in so many ways. I hope that you all get to experience just that.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
-AJay
Meet Jennifer-
On The Inside was offered as a class while I was “on a walkabout” at Wyoming Women’s Center. It sounded interesting, and perhaps different from the other (mundane in my opinion) classes being offered.
Classes held by On The Inside created a safe space for me to open up to myself. I was encouraged by watching others do the same for themselves, and realized that our vulnerability was propelling us forward towards inner freedom. It was in these rooms (along with my yoga studies and reading Scripture) that I found solace while visiting WWC.
Growth cannot cease, lest we find ourselves moving backwards. This is why I continue my work with On The Inside. As facilitators, we partake in all prompts and homework suggestions. It is one of my personal mental health activities each week. Also, I enjoy the community, conversation and inspiration I find here.
The safety enforced in these rooms allows for self-actualization and putting ego aside, thus fostering genuine growth and healing.
Peace and courage,
#3462
Meet Caroline-
I started taking class on the outside in 2020 when the non-profit was first beginning. I joined the class after connecting with the founder Nikki Weaver after my incarceration from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. I shared how much her theater work impacted my ability to put my fears aside and stand up for what I believed in. I took the four class series initially to broaden my support network, and step into something new.
What I get from the work we do is a sense of home that I have never found anywhere else.
I have experienced trauma of all kinds from a very young age and oftentimes I used different outlets to escape my reality. Like playing pretend, making art, or making just about anything.
Many people that were close to me would tell me that I need to come back to reality and stop living in the clouds. What this work has done for me is make sense of the “clouds” and the different ways in which they try to teach me. I can write in the clouds, or dance or draw and when I come down from them I understand what they were trying to tell me. This work has more than helped me make sense of the why, but now is empowering me to put all the why in a big pot and turn it into magic! Magic that helps meet people where they are at, the kind of magic that helps people if you can relate to parts of their story or their pain. And what happens when someone feels understood and seen? They start to create magic of their own, the ripple effect continues and we start to make a difference and empower the unseen.
Human BEING
performed and written by the women of Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
November 12 and 16 6pm PST
Thank you to all of you who joined us for our two showings of our work made over the last year- it was a momentous two nights of deep laughter, tears, dancing, and Lieutenants dancing in the hallway during pat downs. We came together to share stories, meditation, dance, and reflected on what it means to be human.
*all images from the event by Karen Pride
All of the work we created that was on stage, and was not on stage; was put into a booklet and gifted to all adults incarcerated (AICs).
Don’t sit on the outside of our circle:
Sign up for our 2024 class series (offered 4 times throughout the year), then join our monthly circle after completing our four class series.
2. Become a monthly donor to sustain and build our work.
3. Share our work through your social media platforms to build our collective awareness.
“I was emotionally drained when I came in, and I’m leaving emotionally full.”
-current student, Wyoming Women’s Center
Your actions matter. Your words matter. How you show up matters.
Much love and gratitude for your ongoing support,
Nikki Weaver
Caroline Cox
De Bolton
Jennifer Chapman
Atieno Bird
-The Dream Team
Facilities we currently serve at:
-Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, since 2018, this is where Caroline and I met and began our work
-Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, since 2021
-Wyoming Women’s Center, since 2021
-Wyoming Women’s Center: Youth Offenders, since 2023
-Women’s Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Missouri, since 2023
-Virginia Correctional Center for Women, since 2023
*We lead weekly and monthly classes at these facilities led by our two person facilitator teams, and monthly classes for caseworkers at some of these facilities.
Joins us for our final monthly gathering of 2023-
All monthly groups meet from 12-2pm PST/3pm-5pm EST
*Zoom link sent to all those who have participated in our 4 class or 8 class series.
In these classes, we gather and share, create together, move together, and discuss artwork and poetry from our students currently serving time. Your work is also shared inside facilities. It’s a chance to connect and grow with women worldwide.
FINAL 2023 Monthly Group Gathering (2 hours)-
**all monthly group meetings are 12pm-2 pm PT/3pm-5 pm ET over Zoom
Saturday December 2 HOPE
2024 is around the corner, sharing our 2024 calendar schedule of offerings below. Please connect with us to learn more or sign up for our class series online. We are looking forward to being in connection and conversation with you now and in the year ahead! Add these to your calendars if you are planners like we are.
Announcing our 2024 Monthly Group Gatherings (2 hours on Zoom)-
**all monthly group meetings are 12pm-2 pm PT/3pm-5 pm ET
Saturday Jan 6 HOPE
Tuesday Feb 6 LET’S GET SEXY
Thursday March 7 AGILITY
Tuesday April 2 TRUTH
Tuesday May 7 CREATIVITY
Saturday June 1 JOURNEYS
Thursday July 11 SHADOW WORK
Tuesday August 6 LOVE
Sunday September 1 COURAGE
Monday October 7 FLEXIBILITY
Thursday November 7 VALUES
Saturday December 7 HOPE
**all monthly meetings are 12pm-2 pm PST/1-3pm MST/2-4pmCST/3pm-5 pm EST/9-11pm Zimbabwe and Croatia/5-7am Australia + a day
SIGNATURE FOUR CLASS SERIES-
Our four class series is a great way to become a part of our work, learn about the class structure, create with us, and build community. Each class occurs over Zoom so you can participate from anywhere. Every class you can expect to: share, create, receive, and learn as we make work that goes into our facilities and work from our inside students is shared with us.
*We only offer our outside class series 4 times a year, these fill up FAST so connect with us to register today. Please confirm which series you would like to join.
2024 Four Class Series (2 hours on Zoom)-
Thursdays January 4, 11, 18, and 25
Saturdays March 2, 9, 16, and 23
Thursdays September 5,12, 19, and 26
Saturdays October 5,12,19, and 26
**all classes are 12pm-2 pm PST/1-3pm MST/2-4pmCST/3pm-5 pm EST/9-11pm Zimbabwe and Croatia/5-7am Australia + a day
This series is co-led by Caroline Cox, Project Manager at On The Inside, and Nikki Weaver Founder.
Zoom links and instructions are sent out after payment is made. We offer a sliding scale and full scholarships too, all you need to do is connect us. Payment can be made right here. Please connect with us if you would like to join our next class series and specify which four classes you would like to attend. The work builds upon itself so it is essential that you prioritize attending all four sessions. You can join our four week class series, and then continue on in our monthly class by signing up here.
2024 Bi- Weekly Support Group Meeting Dates (60 mins on ZOOM)-
Tuesday January 2nd
Tuesday January 16th
Tuesday January 30th
Tuesday February 13th
Tuesday February 27th NO CLASS
Tuesday March 5th
Tuesday March 19th
Tuesday April 2nd
Tuesday April 16th
Tuesday April 30th
Tuesday May 14th
Tuesday May 28th
Tuesday June 11th
Tuesday June 25th
Tuesday July 9th
Tuesday July 23rd
Tuesday August 6th
Tuesday August 20th
Tuesday September 3rd
Tuesday September 17th
Tuesday October 1st
Tuesday October 15th
Tuesday October 29th
Tuesday November 12th
Tuesday November 26th
Tuesday December 10th
Tuesday December 24th NO CLASS
**all meetings are 5 pm-6 pm PST/ 6-7 pm MST/ 7-8pm CST/ 8 pm-9 pm EST**
Zoom Links are NOT sent out without confirmation on attendance
Email Caroline@ontheinside.space
To confirm attendance and be provided with the ZOOM Link for the Bi- Weekly Support Group
“I was free.”
-Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (after performing Human BEING) , current class
OUR MISSION
On The Inside builds a creative connection for incarcerated women, both individually and collectively. We do this by telling our stories, igniting our hearts, and sparking dialogue. Creative connection for a greater good, we create community for women on the inside and outside by breaking down the walls that keep us apart.
The United States houses over 1.3 million incarcerated women.
We aim to change that.
Creativity is what keeps us alive, it is what draws us together. Our stories save us and have the ability to heal us. Healing is both collective and deeply personal. We create shared dialogue by holding a container for women to transform themselves. We do this through creative prompts where each woman has a voice in the room, through exploratory movement, creating a rolodex of emotions to draw from, and boundaries to hold.
We begin.
We create.
We play together.
We share.
We seek closure.
We begin again.
We hold weekly classes to gather in a circle. We create weekly newsletters where women on the outside create work (poetry, art, song) for women on the inside, and the women on the inside do the same. We create living, breathing works of art that move us far beyond the page, beyond the stage, and into a space of embodiment.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Lisa Collins
Reema Zaman
Fungai Mubayiwa
Katie Morell
Caroline Cox
Megan Gaffney
Atieno Bird
Dr. Mercy Nyangulu Nyepudzayi
Jazmin Jimenez
Cindy Lone
Tina Packer
Mia Zara
Marie Gonzalez
Beck Wilschefski
Elena Brower
Together, we stretch four continents wide.
Collectively, we are making a difference by creating together.
You are always invited to join our work, join our collective, join our creative expanding circle.
