[ Mission ] Hope At Hand is a nonprofit organization that provides art and poetry to at-risk youth populations . Using creativity , language , art and therapeutic approaches , we facilitate healing and personal growth to struggling populations with limited resources .
However minor , most people have a relationship with poetry in some way . You can probably cite several poems from memory : “ Sticks and stones will break my bones …” “ Twinkle , twinkle little star …” Poetry is everywhere from nursery rhymes to song lyrics to advertising jingles .
Hope at Hand begins each session with this familiar connection to words and rhythm . Then , using creative expression , we facilitate healing and deep personal growth . We provide opportunities for participants to :
• explore feelings through poetry
• reflect through journaling
• increase self-awareness
• process pain and release transgressions
• create art
• trust others in a supportive community
• experience joy and success
• consider choice and change
One of our formally incarcerated female adolescents recently wrote , “ When Steffni Fletcher came to the jail
house , she reached out and shook my hand . Most people who visit act as if the inmates are inhuman , like animals . She took a huge risk reaching out to the juvenile inmates . I ’ m glad she did . It changed my perspective on life . It gave me hope .”
For some , opening up and connecting with others can seem impossible , even unimaginable . Hope at Hand teaches participants to internalize wellness strategies that can be used independently in times of high stress . This is the power of poetry therapy . This is the power of Hope at Hand .
" The work of Hope at Hand is important . I work side-by-side with children , teens and women in some pretty disheartening situations . Women in our local domestic violence shelter offer hugs and gratitude after a class . Teens enjoy and come back month after month for lessons . Kids laugh and giggle and let their fears and dreams spill out and onto paper . All of our current poetry groups request more frequency with the Hope at Hand lessons and staff . We connect people and pencils and it ’ s a beautiful experience .
I ’ m passionate about bringing as many partners as possible alongside our mission . It ’ s so much more than a lesson in literature ; it ’ s lessons in life . With your support , we can reach further and impact children and adults and show them that there is hope at hand . Thank you !"
-Steffani Fletcher
www . HopeAtHand . org | 904-868-HOPE