Today Carol interviews the founders of a coalition of innovative programs designed to facilitate the re-integration of incarcerated persons back into the community.These programs are the Sanctuary, Open Minds, and the John P. Dooley Scholarship Fund.
You can listen to the show here
Sanctuary is a new facility in RVA, with a purpose to create effective creative outlets for once-incarcerated men and women upon their release. Sanctuary was born from the Sanctuary inside the jail which our guests today share more with us about.
OPEN MINDS is a college program sponsored by the Richmon d City Sheriff’s Office and Virginia Commonwealth University offering dual enrollment classes held at the Richmond City Jail. These classes challenge all students, incarcerated and free, to think critically about the social problems surrounding crime. All students learn to dialogue respectfully and imaginatively about their shared humanity; to write creatively and analytically in search of common ground; and to link the liberal arts to personal experience and ethical ways of living.
The John P Dooley Scholarship Fund is a new Virginia Commonwealth University scholarship is providing three people who took college classes while incarcerated at the Richmond City Justice Center with the opportunity to continue their education at VCU. The John Patrick Dooley Open Minds Scholarship will cover all tuition, fees and books for a three-credit course for each of the three inaugural recipients. The 3 recipients are Christian Brackett, Pinetta Fleming, and William J. Scruggs III.
To read more on the the scholarship click here
Sanctuary’s Opening Celebration: Friday March 27th 6-8 pm 101 West Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220
We are so excited to finally be opening the doors to Sanctuary! Sanctuary VA is a community re-entry center for formerly incarcerated men + women. The center has daily drop- in hours, as well as weekly workshops in writing, poetry, music, and art therapy.
Celebrate our open- mic opening with us with a night of music, dance, poetry, food, and more! Open to all ages!
*Suggested $5 donation
Guests:
Liz Canfield
John Dooley
William Scruggs III
Christian Brackett
Kristin Reed
David Coogan
Resources:
Soul.eil (local store by Sanctuary co-founder Hannah Attia)
Recovery Is.... 