Former women prisoners who participated in writinginsideVT get in touch to update us on their progress periodically.  When I opened my email this morning, I was greeted by the words below.  My heart leaped, then sank.  How can we expect a woman to re-enter her previous impoverished home environment with limited resources..and be successful?

i was reading some of my old things and i wanted to reach out.  i miss the groups and writing so much.  i’m not doing so well, i’m sorry to disappoint u.  i know u had alot of hope for me.

i went to the web site to check (your program) out.  i still wish there was a writing circle here.  it’s really something i need in my life. writing-inside changed me.  unfortunately, poverty erases change and ur left with desperation, broken dreams, forgotten hope, and a hole lot of despair.

i’m not really sure where to go or what to do.  i had this crazy idea that maybe if i changed my environment, i’d be more able to change my choices, maybe even change my path.

when i read my writing i remember a time when i had hope in myself, when i realized my dreams.  u gave me an opportunity, a strength i never knew i had.  i hope u know the impact u had on my life even if it was only six months.  you gave me something no one else has.  you believed in me, in possibilities. i really would like to believe those things still exist.