I Love Myself Golden Writing Program

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The Roots and Wings Project began the I LOVE MYSELF GOLDEN Writing Program seven years ago at California Institution for Women (CIW) state prison. CIW has the highest rate of suicide in the US, and those being held in incarceration at this facility face daily challenging circumstances including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect, limited food and dehydration, when what they really need is love, support and healing. They need this programming. There is much fallacy around who is in women's prison and why they are there. Many of the women are survivors of domestic violence and in prison as a direct result of their case and self defense. Either defending themselves or their children against abusers. The women need love and help, not punishment. The conditions they are enduring are inhumane. The work helps them not only process the injustice and trauma, but to develop hope and coping skills using the writing as a healing catalyst for both body and mind.

The I LOVE MYSELF GOLDEN Writing Program at CIW uses art as a vehicle for healing, providing stage and space for participants to share their voices and transform through the writing. They discuss ideas, share written pieces and encourage one another in a safe and supportive space. Our participants have increased literacy, writing skills, develop emotional intelligence, learn tools to use writing as a healthy outlet, read and analyze the work of great writers, and gain a better understanding of themselves, their community and the world. There is time allotted during the workshops for fellowship with eachother in a safe space, which these women find very valuable and cathartic, and they also receive snacks during our visits. We have a mobile library where the women can check out books and return them at the next workshop. This library of powerful books gives them access to literature by renowned authors. We look forward to the expansion this phenomenal literature will create for our program. We also print our illustrated, poetry chapbook, 'I Love Myself Golden,' written for incarcerated women. It is pocket size to be able to fit in their bras and keep close to their hearts in those trying moments when they need to read encouraging words dedicated to them. The workshop series culminate with the development of an anthology of the women's writings. We print copies of the anthology and distribute this publication to them, along with the 'I Love Myself Golden' chapbook.

This program greatly impacts all those who experience it, as well as communities and their families. For example, we had culminating readings in both Lancaster Prison and CIW. Many others being held in incarceration experienced the work and were deeply moved. A small number of outside people were also allowed to attend these readings and offered extraordinary support for the writers, expressing the impact and profundity of the pieces. This created feelings of connectedness, pride, understanding, peace, hope, comradery, and confidence. We have developed lasting relationships with participants. One formerly incarcerated writer and former student wrote a monologue for our long-running public show, MATRIARCH, that was performed by a professional actress. It spoke to her surviving horrific abuse in her family, the foster care system, and prison. She was expressly forever changed by this experience.

It is imperative we are always compliant and respectful to all staff at CIW while running this program. This allows us to continue to best serve this community that desperately needs this programming. The women have expressed how much they love our writing program and valuable tools they learn to help them grow and heal. They also receive RAC credit (time off their sentence) for participation.
We keep close contact with several formerly incarcerated participants, with relationships spanning two decades. This helps to know more about current dynamics of prison and how to best serve in these challenging times, and also work with participants outside the walls of prison. It gives them something positive to focus on, be proud of, and converse about. One example, a participant's daughter and mother attended our show, MATRIARCH, while she was still in prison. Her family loved the show and she was thrilled they made contact with our company and got to experience the work on the “outs."