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)
.jpg)
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.
​
​
​