@freemindsbookclub
Free Minds is a DC nonprofit that uses the transformative tools of books, writing, and peacebuilding to create a community of support, assisting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youths and adults to write new chapters in their lives.
DC LIT FEST is just around the corner! 📚 Join Free Minds alongside literary organizations from across the DMV for a free celebration of books and storytelling on March 14. There’s an open house, pop-up book sale, a panel with DC literary leaders, and reception. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4OXT50YmyQf
Write Night is almost here! There’s still time to join us on February 25. If you haven’t already, RSVP today. https://ow.ly/C8wC50YlfNs
Mommy,
Can I be an astronaut?
Yes RP. Why not?
All you have to do is give it all you got.
Mommy,
I’m going to be a herpetologist.
Okay RP.
I’ll introduce you to a biologist
Just give your mother a kiss...
- Excerpt from "Untitled" #poetry by incarcerated #poet RP https://ow.ly/IIlR50Y8kCA
We’re excited to join DC LIT FEST — a free literary celebration in Washington, D.C. on 3/14, bringing together readers, writers, and literary orgs for an open house, book sale, panel discussion, and community reception. Come say hello, celebrate books and community with us! https://ow.ly/guaO50Yi89h
Our next Write Night is Wednesday, February 25!
Join us virtually to read poetry written by our incarcerated members and share reflections in community.
Learn more and RSVP: https://ow.ly/rJ1m50YhkPy
Inspired by the Association for the Study African American Life & History Black History Month prompt — Day 9: standing tall in truth — we share this poem from a Free Minds writer.
Writing helps our members imagine justice and life beyond incarceration. Leave a reflection: https://ow.ly/M2ZV50YcwOm.
Hope without putting in the work to achieve what you hope for,
Is like a person sitting idle in a race for life
Hope is nothing without putting in the work to make what you hope for
come true...
- Excerpt from "Hope" by incarcerated #poet AD #poetry https://ow.ly/eAfZ50Y8jlu
We would love for you to join us for Write Week! ✍️ From January 28 – February 4, read poetry written by incarcerated Free Minds members and leave reflections we will share back with our writers. Your words offer encouragement, connection, and community. #Poetry RSVP: https://ow.ly/2wR850Y3Rpj
Music is like a virus that stimulates the mind and heart.
It's like a tumor that grows, and grows, that has no cure.
Once you’re caught in its rapture, there's no escaping it...
- Excerpt from "It's Within... Music" a poem by DC, an incarcerated poet https://ow.ly/a88r50XKrHF
A collage of images and text that reads Thank You! One image shows two people embracing in a brightly lit room with bookshelves in the background. Another image is a group of people in Free Minds Poet Ambassador shirts. The third image shows a Free Minds Poet Ambassador signing a book for a young student.
From everyone here at Free Minds, we are wishing you a happy new year!
We are so grateful for each and every one of you who has been a part of our incredible community of changemakers. May the new year bring new possibilities, new opportunities, and new chapters.
Read poetry by incarcerated Free Minds poets on our website! Here is an excerpt from "Flying Free" by MJ:
Standing alone with nothing to hide
Free myself from all that’s inside
Giving a voice to the thoughts in my head
Sharing my secrets
With all that care to hear...
https://ow.ly/ug9Y50XKrbw
A graphic showing what donations provide. $25 provides transportation to job fairs, interviews, and essential appointments for members. $50 provides a welcome home kit with books, hygiene essentials, and writing supplies $150 provides educational workshops in communication, public speaking, wellness, and financial literacy $300 provides a full set of books for a classroom of 20 currently incarcerated members $500 sponsors one member's participation in our 12-week Peer Support Training Program
Your support makes a real difference in people's lives. Thanks to a generous donor, donations made before the end of the year will be matched up to $20K. Help us keep this work going. Donate today. https://freemindsbookclub.networkforgood.com/
Did you know that you can read poetry by incarcerated Free Minds writers on our website? Check out this excerpt from "Seeds" by ER:
"I’m a seed
Enduring forecasts of mystery.
Whether precipitation or sun rays,
Win or loss,
Take it all with consistency..."
https://ow.ly/kSLp50XKqsa
@freemindsbookclub.bsky.social is the stellar nonprofit that enables incarcerated people to access books and have conversations about them, a resource many prisons do not provide. Don't miss my @powerstation.bsky.social episode with @julia-mascioli.bsky.social & Curtis McKnight! bit.ly/4irSJ90
Thank you to everyone who joined us this Giving Tuesday. Your generosity fuels real change—supporting members to heal and build their futures. 💙 #IAmAChangeMaker
A photo of Curtis, a young man smiling in front of a bookshelf, above the text "I Am A Changemaker." There is a quote from Curtis that says, "I am a youth advocate so youth don't have to experience the same things I did. I like seeing people succeed. Not too many from my environment make it out. I never expected to do what I'm doing now--working, having my CDL, my own apartment. Everyone deserves these opportunities and I want to help make it happen."
Every gift matters. Join us in building a community of change makers. 💪
https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/freeminds
#GivingTuesday
Hi friends, it’s a tough time for our community right now but every dollar makes a difference. Help me reach my goal of raising $500 for @freemindsbookclub.bsky.social this Giving Tuesday!
www.givelocaltogether.org/p/julia-masc...
It’s #GivingTuesday! Join Free Minds in creating lasting change through books, writing, and opportunity for currently or formerly incarcerated members of our community. https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/freeminds
Giving Tuesday is almost here! Join Free Minds in creating change through writing, connection, and opportunity. #GivingTuesday #IAmAChangeMaker https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/freeminds
This Giving Tuesday, your gift to Free Minds helps create lasting change. Join a community of change makers transforming lives and communities. #GivingTuesday #IAmAChangeMaker
https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/freeminds
Hi! 👋We're Free Minds Book Club, a DC nonprofit that builds community to foster personal development and systems change for youth and adults who are or have been incarcerated. We work with our members in the DC Jail, juvenile detention, federal prison system, and throughout the reentry journey.