From the Alexandria Gazette Packet – Voices to be Heard

“We are extremely grateful for Heard’s continued outreach and engagement with those in our custody.”

— Sheriff Dana Lawhorne

And we are grateful to the Alexandria Gazette Packet for promoting the winners of our writing contest with the Alexandria Adult Detention Center. You are always so supportive of our work! Btw, did you know that you made Mr. Pixley and Mr. Talbert’s day? They were each given a copy of your article and were sooooo happy! Thank you for allowing them to be heard! Scroll down to page 7 to see our winners or read it here:

 

From ALXnow.com – Tales of regret and hope win in creative writing contest at the Alexandria Jail

In his award-winning poem “I Cry”, Anthony Talbert laments over being incarcerated in the Alexandria Jail.

“Growing up I was told that the eyes are the windows to the soul,” reads Talbert’s poem. “So I cry to cleanse my soul of all the torment it holds.”

You can’t not be moved by Talbert’s first-place poem and the tears he sheds for everyone – you, me, Jesus, himself. You can read his entire work and more about our writing contest in Alxnow.com

 

Tales of regret and hope win in creative writing contest at the Alexandria Jail

Annual Writing Contest Offers Alexandria Inmates Creative Outlet, Opportunity to be Heard

“We are extremely grateful for Heard’s continued outreach and engagement with those in our custody,” Sheriff Lawhorne said.

And we are grateful to you, Sheriff Lawhorne, for inviting us back to hold our annual writing contest with the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center again. Once again we laughed, cried, and were generally blown away by the honesty and courage of our authors. Congratulations to your winners, and a special shoutout to Caudron Megary, Blackburn Wealth Management Group for sponsoring this event.

The list of winners and a link to the first-place winning poem (and it’s amazing!) is here.

 

Who is your Superhero?

Who is your Super Hero? Wonder Woman? Batman? Or, as we did with the women at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria, VA, we made our own. Our super heroes have magic in them that help us and help the world. Take a look at what creative and healing superheroes the inmates created under the guidance of our amazing Heard teacher Sharmila Karamchandani. Don’t you wish these superheroes really existed?
This creature has a calming face and body of strength. The red fingertips have healing quality. She comes into your life to make you realize your own beauty.
Meet the Pain Relieving Octopus! It has healing tentacles. Wherever you have pain the tentacles can heal you upon touch.

Heard Arts Program Brings Creative Expression to Marginalized Individuals

What a fabulous surprise to read this story from the City of Alexandria eNews

Expressing oneself through art can be both a freeing and insightful experience, and clinicians and therapists often use art as a treatment option in their support of individuals facing a range of challenges, including mental health and substance use disorders. This fall, the Alexandria Residential Treatment Center (ARTC) partnered with Heard, a local nonprofit, to offer art workshops for individuals in recovery. (more…)