Can rehabilitation be fun? We think so!Art therapy, an about-to-be added component

to the program Renascence residents go through, willprovide the “fun” at the same time it gives the menfeelings of pride and accomplishment.

Regardless of talent, starting and completinga project makes a man feel good about himself. Self-worth and confidence are critical to our residents’ newlives, not only as they recover from addictions, butalso as they break loose from past habits and friends.

Working toward this goal, we are completingplans for a project described in our summer issue ofHalfway Home, an idea that local artist and landscapedesigner Mark Montoya suggested. After employingseveral Renascence residents in his landscapingbusiness the past few years and becoming aware ofthe struggles they go through, Mark proposed makingthe shed behind the house into anart/hobby studio where the mencan learn and work on projects,taught by him and others.

Several people have alreadyexpressed interest in showingRenascence men how to dodifferent arts and crafts—frompainting and drawing to makingmosaics to woodworking crafts. One of these, a friendof Mark’s, is in the process of getting her PhD in arttherapy. This project will not only help her on her pathtoward the degree and certification but at the sametime, will help our residents with their transition backto the free world. And they can have a good timedoing it!

Since the shed has no electricity, plans havealtered a bit. We will store tools and supplies in theshed, and we will use the room under the director’soffice for the studio where the work will be done. Thisroom opens onto the parking area of the driveway,ideal for setting up sawhorses to do workworkingprojects. We are in the process of cleaning out bothfacilities with plans to start the project in November.

Along with this exciting project is a change in ourannual “Paint Alabama” fundraiser, which for the pastthree years has been an art show and sale, graciouslyhosted by ServisFirst Bank. This year’s fundraiser willbe held on April 19, 2012 at the home of Mark Montoyaand David Braly, a renovated fire station on SouthMcDonough Street that has been converted into theirhome and an art gallery. We will continue to featureart, but emphasis this year will be on showing worksproduced by our residents, to be sold only if the artistswish to sell them.

Save the date, and come see what our buddingartists have done! More importantly, come meet someof them and hear their personal stories. Your interest inthem is also important to their recovery.

“IfoundthatIcouldsay things withcolors andshapes thatIhadnowords for.”

Georgia O’Keefe

Halfway HomeTHE NEWSLETTER OF RENASCENCE, INCORPORATED FALL 2011

The mission of Renascence is to help non­violent, male ex­offenders make a successful transition from prison into the community.

THE NAME RENASCENCEThe name Renascence means “rebirth,” and was inspired largely by the fresh start men will begin in this

residential program and partly by the poem “Renascence” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950). It comesdirectly from the same Latin word as the more familiar form Renaissance, which came into English from French.Renascence is pronounced “reh NAY sons,” with the stress on the second syllable.

WHEN WORDS AREN'T ENOUGH

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Halfway HomeHalfway Home is published byRenascence, Inc., 215 ClaytonStreet, Montgomery, AL 36104(334-832-1402).www.halfway-home.netEmail: renascence@bellsouth.net

All information andphotography in this issue iscopyrighted by and theproperty of Renascence,Incorporated.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORSGail WallerPresidentMary Lil OwensVice PresidentNancy BradfordSecretary

Jan HeierTreasurerDIRECTORSAlyce Robertson AddisonJohn AnzaloneJoe CrowleyMac HallCyrus JohnstonWalter LewisClifton LovejoyGeoffrey McIntyreWilliam MitchellLaura MurdockDouglass PorterJohn Sawyer, Jr.Delores SmithBill Tilly

ADVISORY COUNCILBeth ChanceyWillard HensonAaron McCallFrances McGowinThorn McIntyreValerie SmedleyRenascence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization.

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCREATIVE TOOLS FOR CHANGEIn the spring of 2010, we had a garden

beautification day at Renascence. With the help ofvolunteers we cleared debris, planted flowers andremoved wobbly bricks from our courtyard. As part ofthe process we were tasked to create new mosaicbricks from colorful pieces of pottery. Now I mustconfess that I am not the most artistically talentedperson on the planet (maybe not even on this block).

I am often amazed and mildly envious of individuals who possess thetalent to create beauty from a “blank canvas.” Although I do not possessthe same artistic talent as others, I remember the excitement and pride Ifelt when I created my brick. I created something beautiful! As I lookedaround the courtyard that day I saw the same sense of pride andhappiness reflected on the faces of the men in our program. Although mybrick may not be one of the great masterpieces, I still feel happiness fromits creation. The process of creating gave me an opportunity to feel asense of accomplishment, to be still with my thoughts, and to learnsomething about myself. This is one of the experiences that led to thedevelopment of an Art Therapy program at Renascence.

Art can be a powerful tool. It can be a form of positive goal setting,it can help individuals build self-esteem and work on stress management.Through art we hope to provide our men a form of communicatingthoughts, feelings, emotions, and working through complex issues. Weexpect that participation in art therapy will help residents develop

additional social skills throughgroup participation. This will beaccomplished by reinforcingtheir demonstration of respectthrough sharing materials,ideas, and personal space withother residents. In addition,they will gain the experience ofworking in a group setting andwill learn conflict resolutiontechniques. They will be ableto recognize and communicatethe causes of frustration andwill use problem solvingstrategies to help managesituations using appropriatecommunication techniques.

In addition to all thesebenefits, we hope the residentswill have fun! I read once that“happiness lies in the joy ofachievement and the thrill ofcreative effort.” It is my hopethat the men in our programwill gain this and so muchmore from their creativeefforts.

NEW BOARD MEMBERSThe Renascence Board of Directors is pleased toannounce its newest members: Alyce RobertsonAddison, Mac Hall, and Bill Tilly, all of whombring various talents to the Board. Alyce hasstarted her own law firm, that currently doesgeneral law but in the future will concentrate onimmigration law. Mac is an environmentalengineer with URS Corporation. Bill is themiddle­man with a nonprofit, AlabamaMultifamily Loan Consortium, that connectsbanks with affordable housing. Both Mac andBill are active in Kairos, a Christian ministry forprison inmates.

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Thank You, Donors and VolunteersThanks to all who have so generously givenDonations, Volunteer Hours, and In­kind Items to RENASCENCE.The following list reflects gifts and services for July 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011.

THE COMMUNITY CARESA group of teens from Mount Zion A.M.E. Zion Churchstocked the Renascence pantry with canned goods oneSaturday in July. This act of caring shows our residentsthat people in the community of all ages care about themand their successful rehabilitation.

TOOLS:. Jigsaw. Circular saw. Hammers. Tin Snips. Screwdrivers. Nails & screws. Paint brushes (all sizes,

including artist’brushes)

SUPPLIES:. Gorilla glue. Wire (any kind). Various and assorted

wood scraps. Paints (all colors). Plastic buckets. Resealable plastic

containers. Pieces of tin roofing. Canvas. Watercolor paper

PEOPLE:. Art teachers. Craft teachers

If you are interested inteaching an art or craftto residents for a speci-fied period of time,please call Dana Dunklinat the Renascence Office:832-1402. Times anddays are flexible, depend-ing on yours and theresidents’ schedules.Since most of them workduring the day, eveningsand weekends willprobably work best.

WISH LIST FOR ART THERAPY

INDIVIDUALSDeanie Clark AllenBetty BealeAdrian BooneNancy BostonRoger & Maryem BrewerPhillip & Elizabeth BrownTom Cagle/Gail WallerBill & Janie CampbellAnn Carlton

Joe & Tricia CrowleyElizabeth CrumpLinda DrumhellerJames & Lydia GarrawayRick & Cathy GassenheimerOzie HaroldCorky & Cathy HawthorneCathy HegjiGloria JohnsonFrank & Judith May

George & Sarah MinglesdorffCheairs PorterMac & Douglass PorterBetty RollinsJoe SimsMr. & Mrs. Myrick SpencerJoan TreadawayDent & Diane WilliamsBen WilsonDorothy Wilson

IN HONOR OFDelores SmithBill & Janie CampbellIN MEMORY OFChuck HegjiCathy HegjiFriends of Chuck (throughCathy)

CHURCHES, FOUNDATIONS,BUSINESSESORGANIZATIONSA New Beginning MinistryAlabama ICE SafeNeighborhood(United Way)Aldersgate United MethodistChurchAltrusa International ofMontgomeryCentral Alabama CommunityFoundation, AnonymousDonorDaniel Foundation ofAlabamaEpiscopal Church of theAscensionHoly Spirit Catholic ChurchImmanuel PresbyterianChurchLicensed Practical Nurses’Association of AlabamaMontgomery Area Chamberof CommerceMt. Zion A.M.E. Zion ChurchNorthrop GrummanSt. Bede Catholic ChurchSt. John’s Episcopal Church

Help us make a difference and build our communityYes, I want to help:To volunteer (see our web site – www.halfway-home.net)To donate, make a check payable to Renascence , Inc. or by donate via our website.

Your generous donation could provide the following:

Please add me to your mailing list:NameAddressPhone No. Cell PhoneEmail

I WOULD PREFER TO RECEIVE FUTURE HALFWAY HOME NEWSLETTERS VIA EMAIL.

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDMONTGOMERY, AL

PERMIT #66

Halfway HomeRenascence, Inc.

215 Clayton St. · Montgomery, AL 36104

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

$10 – 10 city bus passes$25 – 1 state picture I.D.$50 – 1 health clinic visit$100 – drug screens/1 month$250 – Food Bank/3 months$500 – 6 GED assessment fees$1,000 – gas and upkeep on the van/1 year$1,500 – utilities for 1 month

$5,000 – liability insurance/6 monthsOther – help with salaries, workman’s comp.insurance, payroll taxes

Renascence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization.

YouMake

theDifference!