[ 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