Transforming incarcerated women and returning-citizens into leaders with a voice
The premiere nonprofit for providing women-specific tools, resources and care to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
The art + science of breaking injustice
No mentors
or leadership
Depression
& isolation
Being taken advantage of
Drugs / crime
Prison
Overburdened rehabilitation resources
Released with dismal support
Poverty
No support structure
Discriminated
in job market
Featured Success Story: Laura
United Nations SDGs
FIST announces its pledge to support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Where we serve
Currently focusing on the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women in Jessup Maryland
How We Work
Our Story - Prison to Poetry
When FIST first started, we were a small team bringing poetry behind bars. We knew there was therapeutic and healing power behind poems, but we saw more empowerment than anything else.
Writing poetry requires us to be honest with ourselves and others about our feelings and perspectives. Being true to yourself gives clarity and boosts self esteem.
Our Poetry Showcase is a confidence-building event set up for committed members of the FIST program to exhibit their work in front of a select audience. Showcases bring out the best in people because they challenge comfort zones and empower individuals to take the next step forward in their lives.
Since then, we have been working to expand our services to women to include in-prison and post-prison resources and workshops that are designed to break barriers.