life lines is launched!!!

April 23, 2019Leave a comment

Friday evening April 12 found a crowd abuzz with excitement and anticipation moving through pre-reading refreshments and answering questions about self-care. And then came the readings.

Conducted like any traditional read-around, in Women Writing for (a) Change parlance, we made a few introductory remarks followed by a series of readings from the newly-released book, “LifeLines: Re-Writing Lives from Inside Out.” After two readings from each of 8 writers, the floor was opened to questions and discussion.

But the final proof that this book has already achieved its stated purpose – to stimulate community action and advocacy on behalf of the outdated criminal justice system with particular emphasis on women – came as folks filed out for refreshments and the opportunity to purchase the book to be signed by one of the writers or editors.

We have a practice of asking a question of our listeners after they have had a chance to absorb the words swirling about them for the previous half hour. This time, the question was ‘On hearing these words, how are you personally motivated to respond?’ Responses are far too numerous to list here, but can be found on the page about LifeLines on this site. To whet your curiosity, here are just a few:

I am curious to learn more about current legislative efforts and how my senators and representatives are contributing.
I see parallel needs in the halls of local schools that act as pipelines channeling youth who see no other example and feel no strong anchor at the other end of their lifelines. How do we halt this self-perpetuating cycle?
Advocacy work – calling legislators and staying aware of the changes that are happening so I can offer input and speak on behalf of the women inside. More education and better physical and mental health treatment.
I wish these readings were presented more often and in different cities and venues, including the State House. So valuable, enlightening, and inspiring.
I’m reminded of the power of good teaching, learning, and listening. I’m inspired to create a learning environment that has unleashed the power of the human spirit as this program (these people) have.
Get the right people at the table to design a new system.

it’s happening …

March 28, 20192 Comments

Life Lines frntandbk Cover for PR “LIFE LINES: Re-Writing Lives from Inside Out” is at the printer … Reviewers are reviewing it … We have a page on the publisher’s website … Our writers are geared up to share their words at the launch on April 12 in Burlington VT … Love Local Catering has planned a lovely spread …

We look forward to seeing you there!

writinginsideVT as life line

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019Leave a comment

courtesy of csolifeline.org

For the ten years we have offered writinginsideVT to women incarcerated in Vermont, we have heard it over and over again. How these weekly opportunities to write and share what is on each participant’s heart, with respect and without judgement, have provided a lifeline through incarceration. For some, it is the first time they have been heard, or even discovered they have something to say. For others, it is a chance to unpack the pent-up frustrations, griefs and crushed dreams that inhabit the underbelly of their daily routines inside.

No matter the content, the fact remains: writing offers a way to re-write (and in the process re-right) past decisions and choose a new path going forward.

The respite our writing sessions offer inside (where, unfortunately, many women remain who would otherwise be receiving treatment for their illnesses) is undeniably healing, hope-producing, enlightening, confidence-building. In short, in the context of epidemic drug abuse and dearth of mental health treatment programs, the moments of quiet reflection, sharing and validation amount to … well … a lifeline for many.

As founding co-director, I have been deeply humbled across this past decade to witness acts of transformation through the safe community we have co-created with our writers. To honor those for whom the program has provided a link to re-visioning a future, I have received funding from BCA Community Fund to publish a collection of writings. Life Lines: Re-Writing Lives from Inside Out will be released in late March by Green Writers Press, Brattleboro, VT. The book and its public presentation will provide for community discussion and advocacy on behalf of the challenges faced daily by these writers.

Stay tuned for updates on the book and its launch. Meanwhile, thank you for your interest in and support of our work over the years.

wiVT team member helps inside voters

November 4, 2018November 4, 2018Leave a comment

credit – luke eastman

Check out this wonderful write-up by Mark Davis in Seven Days featuring Kassie Tibbot, recent VT Law School graduate and long-time assistant to writinginsideVT. The article, titled “Vermont is one of two U.S. states that let incarcerated citizens vote.” The other is Maine.

Kassie is quoted throughout the piece, including the opening paragraph:

Kassie Tibbott spent several weeks this fall visiting five Vermont state prisons with the goal of getting local inmates to vote. The recent Vermont Law School graduate was happy to help 44 prisoners register for the first time. She was even more elated to meet 39 inmates already on the voter rolls, who simply asked for help getting absentee ballots. Dozens of others didn’t need assistance because they already knew the ropes.

The article goes on to point out the central importance of community to those inside and looking to return home at some point. Voting is one of the few ways they can participate in ‘normal’ life during incarceration. It is also an imperative that is felt as a result of all those who can NOT vote.

“Some of them, because they saw that some of their fellow inmates couldn’t vote, they thought, I had better do it,” said Tibbott. “I heard quite a few times inmates say, ‘See, our voice does matter.'”

It is heartening that our democracy can permit citizens otherwise limited in their civic engagement to vote.

UVM student initiative

March 4, 2018March 4, 20185 Comments

from students to entrepreneurs

The other day I received a cryptic call. After a few moments I learned that, once again and out of the clear blue, writing inside VT is the subject of an unsolicited PR/fundraising effort.

It happened a year or two back, when we received a generous check from a local congregation. The accompanying note explained that writing inside VT had been chosen the worthy non-profit recipient of the week’s Sunday collection. Quite aside from my curiosity as to how individuals not directly involved with us actually hear about or find us, these incidents move me. Deeply.

A few weeks back it happened again. This time, a UVM student called to ask if we would be the focus of a student fund-raising project. A team of 10 students from a variety of disciplines who have come together in a class on entrepreneurship have been charged with creating a pop-up commercial venture. Their personal interests intersect at gender equality, criminal justice and women’s issues. Which is how they found us.

For six to eight weeks, they will have two slots/week on camput to sell something which they have designed and produced. Their goal is to start a conversation about incarceration. When me met, I jotted down the list of impacts they wanted from their project: connection, building social capital, rehumanizing and validating the incarcerated in an authentic way to raise awareness about criminal justice reform. A tall order by any standard.

They are mid-project right now. Their product is still under development. Working with a copy of HEAR ME, SEE ME: Incarcerated Women Write and their own brainstorming, initiative and energy, they will choose artwork and empowering quotable lines to create their product.

Stay tuned for more information as the plan unfolds!