This past winter, a colleague and I began a grand experiment – to design and co-facilitate a drumming & mindfulness practice program for 20 women prisoners incarcerated at the Chittenden Correctional Facility.
Vermont Works for Women, with some generous private funding, gave us its blessing and guidance to make the pilot project happen.
If you recall, the aim was to teach band drum-line techniques and mindfulness exercises over 16 weeks to reduce stress and anxiety in some of the most challenging inmates.
The women participants, or as they named their band – ONE SOUND, ONE SOUL – graduated from the program this past May.
Here’s a recap of their inspiring progress in my Vermont Public Radio commentary that aired just this morning. Enjoy the listen!