Call To Action Meeting – No New Federal Prison

Join us to celebrate the publication of Free Minds’ third book, When You Hear Me (You Hear Us): Voice on Youth Incarceration. This powerful new book is an anthology of poetry, prose, and personal reflections from young people charged and incarcerated in the adult criminal legal system, as well as from the community around them: the parents, loved ones, correctional staff, public defenders, and many others harmed and left with unhealed trauma. Through its collected works, the anthology illustrates the ecosystem that surrounds youth who are incarcerated — and exposes how the harm of their incarceration affects us all.

At this event, presented in partnership with the Justice Arts Coalition as part of their Create + Connect series, Free Minds Poet Ambassadors—formerly incarcerated members of our community—will use poetry and storytelling to connect individuals on both sides of the prison walls, and to promote hope and healing through the literary arts. Click here to RSVP!
Poet Ambassadors will share their poetry and lived experiences, then introduce participants to a virtual platform that will allow participants to respond directly to the moving poetic words of currently incarcerated poets. Your written and artistic responses to the poems will be mailed to each poet and provide an invaluable form of support. We pose this workshop as an interactive artistic exchange, one where poetry and art come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of participants and Free Minds members.

RSVP here to join this virtual event!

Woodridge Neighborhood Library and Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop presents POETRY FOR ALL on Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Join us for an evening of poetry and conversation with Free Minds Poet Ambassadors. Share your poetry and discuss the role art plays in maintaining community ties between those who are incarcerated and those on the outside. We hope to see you there! No RSVP required.