Sista2Sista Soul2Soul
& The 2020 & 2021 Communal Art Projects
Our Inaugural Communal Art Project created by Women at 52nd & Parkside-Lowe's
In August 2020, Opportunity, Inc. launched the Sista2Sista Soul2Soul program, where we connect women in the community with incarcerated and elderly women by creating communal art projects that translates into greeting cards. Women in the community who participate in the art project will receive a ‘goodie bag’ with gender-specific essential items, such as sanitary napkins, toothbrushes, and nail files, to name a few. Incarcerated and elderly women will receive greeting cards made with the paintings created by the women in the community. All women, whether young or old, homeless, sheltered or behind bars will not be forgotten during these trying times.
For more information about the program or to schedule a communal art project with 4-6 women, please call 215.384.8506 or email at info@opportunitytoadvance.com.
For more information about the program or to schedule a communal art project with 4-6 women, please call 215.384.8506 or email at info@opportunitytoadvance.com.
In August 2020, the women at 52nd & Parkside-Lowe's outdoor community event were so open to the idea that their mark on a canvas would create a cover of a greeting card sent to women who are incarcerated. Dr. Latisha Webb, the Acting CEO and creative director, put the finishing touches to develop this beauty. Opportunity, Inc. has partnered with ReConstruction, Inc. to send greeting cards to women at Muncy and Cambridge Springs SCI in the state of PA. Partnerships are being developed to send cards to elderly women who reside in local senior citizen facilities.
Our 2nd Project: The Women of Naomi's Project
In October 2020, The second Sista2Sista Soul2Soul project was completed with Naomi's Project one of the organization's sponsors and supporters who chose to remain anonymous. The message behind this project is freedom.
How do you define freedom?
Our 3rd Project: The Women at Greater St. Paul Community Empowerment Day
Opportunity, Inc. is excited to present its 3rd communal art project: Women @Greater St Paul Community Empowerment Day. In November 2020, Bishop Rudolph Mills, the host and new lead support of Greater St Paul along with his wife, Rev. Michelle Mill, gave away free food, had live entertainment and admonished the residents of the community to pray and unwavering hope. Bishop Mills partnered with Ecclesiastical Council of Churches and Keep It Real Ministry who helped to make the event a success. Guest speakers traveled from Georgia and vendors sold their merchandise. It truly was an empowering day.
Our Very First End of the Year Painting & Greeting Card: "Swimming in Grace"
We, at Opportunity, Inc., thank you so much for a great year. As a result of COVID-19, we pivoted from our HEAL Expressive Arts Support Groups on Mondays to offering on-line classes. That online program did not get much traction so we no longer offer it. We pivoted again and launched the Sista2Sista Soul2Soul program in August 2020. Here's our accomplishments up until now:
- Facilitated three communal art projects and gave away over 50 "goodie bags" filled with essential items to women in the community
- Increased our email list by over 25 new contacts
- Wrote to 65 women who are incarcerated and maintain communication with 10 out of the 65 women
- Raised roughly $467 in monetary donations
- Painted a beautiful 8 1/2 by 11 picture and gave it away as a birthday gift to a very special woman who will remain anonymous
- Purchased 24' by 36' posters with frames as another fundraising opportunity; Naomi's Project purchased the one with their communal art project; and another one was gifted to a woman on her 16th anniversary as a pastor
- Signed up for the Daughters newsletter spearheaded by a woman at SCI Muncy
- Presented the idea to ReConstruction, Inc, one of our partners, to use the program for praxis and research
- Communicated with the founder of Let's Get Free based in Pittsburg and
- Created our very first "End of the Year" painting and card: Opportunity, Inc. Presents "Swimming in Grace"
Our 4th Project: The Women @It's Ok 2 Laugh/Dezzie's B-day Bash
We, at Opportunity, Inc., welcome 2021 with renewed hope for a productive year!! We are thrilled and humbled to present our 4th communal art project: Women @It'sOk2Laugh/Dezzie's B-day Bash. This art project is special for several reasons:
We are all broken pieces, and in the core of our beings is the need for healing. Love, care and emotional safety thread our brokenness together. It is through our cracks where we equally leak out our hurts and pour out our compassions.
- It was our first time using multiple palettes to create one piece of art
- We used unconventional materials, such as thread, to add texture and dimension
- A source other than the women at the event strongly stimulated the direction of its central theme. We were inspired by the Healing Wounds Ministry founded by Rev. Michelle Mill, who mails inspirational material monthly. Rev Mills' mailing emanated with power and screamed to be a part of this finished art piece.
We are all broken pieces, and in the core of our beings is the need for healing. Love, care and emotional safety thread our brokenness together. It is through our cracks where we equally leak out our hurts and pour out our compassions.
Our 5th Project: Dream BIG: Women @KIRM's Food Bank (59th St)
We, at Opportunity, Inc., have BIG dreams for 2021 and beyond!! We are thrilled and humbled to present our 5th communal art: Dream BIG on MLK Day 2021 Women @KIRM's Food Bank. Opportunity, Inc. partnered with Keep It Real Ministry's food bank, where the pastor is Bishop Wade Jackson, located at 59th and Lansdowne to host our first MLK Day Sista2Sista Soul2Soul communal art project. At this event, Opportunity, Inc:
Our program is gaining momentum. We ask each of you to meditate on this question:
- Gave away roughly 70 goodie bags filled with women-specific essential items
- Connected with Ray, Membership Growth Consultant, from Dedicated Senior Medical Center and Courtney, Medicare Benefit Advisor, from Cigna to send more items to women who are incarcerated at SCI Muncy and Cambridge Springs
- Raised $5 in donations
- Added 9 more names to our email list
Our program is gaining momentum. We ask each of you to meditate on this question:
Are your dreams too big for you to handle alone, and do they stimulate fear and anxiety?
If not, then you are not dreaming BIG enough...
If not, then you are not dreaming BIG enough...
A Day of Love by Women @Why Not Prosper
On February 14th, our society celebrated Valentine’s Day!! We, at Opportunity, Inc partnered with Dr. Rev Michelle A. Simmons and the women at Why Not Prosper to create our first Valentine’s Day communal art project. The women were encouraged to put the kind of messages about love on their individual canvases that they would want to receive on Valentine’s Day. Some even added the first layer to the communal canvas. Each individual canvas is represented on the completed communal art piece. This first of many Valentine’s Day cards is titled, Opportunity, Inc Presents: A Day of Love by Women @Why Not Prosper. If you look closely, then you will see love written all over the canvas. It eludes to the truth that Love covers our faults, fallacies and failures. May we strive for the Love that covers others with patience...
Our First Women's Month Collective 2021
March is Women’s month. We, at Opportunity, Inc, had the privilege and honor to celebrate women all month on various levels and at different locations from Philadelphia to Houston, TX to a virtual experience with another woman artist in San Diego, CA. The Sista2Sista Soul2Soul program introduces: Women’s Month Collection 2021
Connecting with Self: This painting was guided and completed over several virtual experiences with a woman artist and teacher, Galina Marcus, based in San Diego. This textured multimedia art piece is two distinct canvases conjoined to create a framed portrait of a woman.
Connecting with Friends: This art piece was created by two friends, Rosa and Crystal, who attend Lancaster Bible College Philadelphia together. As friends, they share a love for God and people. When asked what message they wanted to send to women who are incarcerated they agreed to pose the question: Are you ready?
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Connecting with Family: This art piece is a collage honoring a woman who loved her family and went to any lengths to connect with her family and to keep them together. In memory of her life, Mary Dennis-Bradford, was a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, confidant and so much more. Family from the Carolinas to Houston, TX had a hand in creating this art piece in their own unique way.
Connecting with Community: This year, Rev Dr. Michelle Simmons and Why Not Prosper celebrate 20 years in providing transitional housing for women returning home from incarceration. At one of its kick off events leading up to gala in August, Why Not Prosper facilitated a focus group collecting data from real women with the lived experience of life after incarceration and their supporters. The collected data will be presented to local and state officials. Why Not Prosper is a true advocate for justice and fair treatment of women inside and out the walls. The theme for this second communal art project completed with the women of Why Not Prosper is HOPE.
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The Women @ Why Not Prosper Have Faith & Gratitude
We, at Opportunity, Inc, are so proud of our connection with Why Not Prosper and its founder Dr. Rev. Michelle A. Simmons, who is one of our biggest financial supporters. We facilitated another Sista2Sista Soul2Soul communal art project with Why Not Prosper in April 2021 at the COVID-19 vaccination community day. The inspiration derived from Why Not Prosper allowed us to first create A Day of Love for Valentine's and then Hope for women who are still incarcerated. The last two communal art projects facilitated with the Women at Why Not Prosper are Faith + Gratitude.
To learn more about Why Not Prosper and all of the accomplishments over the last 20 years, click here.
To learn more about Why Not Prosper and all of the accomplishments over the last 20 years, click here.
A Mothers & Daughters Special: PowHer-Full
During the month of May 2021, we celebrate flowers and mothers of all kinds: mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, spiritual mothers, etc. We, at Opportunity, Inc, facilitated three very intimate spaces shared among mother and daughter families, We are honored to bring together the women of The Brown-Wardlaw Family, The Lopez Family and The Wiggins-Johnson Family to create this communal art piece titled: PowHer-Full.
Each of these women and girls represent womanhood, motherhood, grandmother-hood, sisterhood, aunt-hood and daughter-hood. The Wardlaw Family put the first layer on the larger shared canvas that you see below. The Lopez Family added the second layer and gave the suggestion of the mothers and daughters hugging during their intimate family time. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Cassandra Wiggins. She is an avid supporter, donator and volunteer of writing the women in Cambridge Springs and Muncy. Mrs. Wiggins also donated the mother and daughter keychains that were given to each participant.
This project touched hearts and lives. There is nothing like bringing together families, especially mothers with their daughters and granddaughters. Let's make every day mother's day. Because mothers are PowHer-Full...
Each of these women and girls represent womanhood, motherhood, grandmother-hood, sisterhood, aunt-hood and daughter-hood. The Wardlaw Family put the first layer on the larger shared canvas that you see below. The Lopez Family added the second layer and gave the suggestion of the mothers and daughters hugging during their intimate family time. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Cassandra Wiggins. She is an avid supporter, donator and volunteer of writing the women in Cambridge Springs and Muncy. Mrs. Wiggins also donated the mother and daughter keychains that were given to each participant.
This project touched hearts and lives. There is nothing like bringing together families, especially mothers with their daughters and granddaughters. Let's make every day mother's day. Because mothers are PowHer-Full...
There's Always A Door
During the month of June 2021, we celebrated the incoming of summer, Father’s Day and Juneteenth. We, at Opportunity, Inc, facilitated a unique communal art project at a partial hospitalization program for adolescents. Due to confidentiality, we were only able to capture the various art pieces of each participant. They worked collectively to create and name this communal art project.
Below you will see the energy and creativity of the adolescents as they added to the larger canvas. Check out the various pieces as they came together to create a collage. What is so interesting about this project is when we asked these adolescents what message they wanted to send to women who are incarcerated, they said “There’s Always A Door”. Lastly, we want to encourage you that as you approach the door of opportunity to take the first step into your dreams, visions, hopes and aspirations.
See-N2-Mee...by Dr. Webb
So many exciting things are happening!! This month makes one year of launching the Sista2Sista Soul2Soul program at 52nd & Parkside!! In addition, Opportunity, Inc celebrates 10 years in service. We have a few events planned leading up to our Art Auction in November 2021. Regarding this month's Sista2Sista Soul2Soul artwork, the title is See-N2-Mee by Dr. Webb, who shares an artistic depiction of a personal healing journey over a 2-month period. Below you will see the first layer of painting.
The layer below is the third layer painted while at Adobe Cafe in Roxborough.
The artwork intrigued Michelle, one of the assistant managers. Dr. Webb encouraged her to add her mark to the canvas.
Finally, you will see the final version with Michelle's green heart painted in the perfect spot.
Seeds are Small; Yet, Mighty
During the month of August 2021, Dr. Webb met with a woman whose son is incarcerated at SCI Somerset. Ms. Tanisha, who asked to remain anonymous, needed assistance with scheduling video and contact visits with her son. Opportunity, Inc. was there to assist her with the technology and served as a supportive, listening ear. The seeds sown that day into Ms. Tanisha and her son were small; yet mighty. Seeds have the ability to take root, grow and produce something as beautiful as the flowers painted by Ms. Tanisha.
What seeds are you planting today?
Free From Labor
Labor Day 2021 was special because we kicked off our series of 10-year celebratory events. We enjoyed the day filled with music, dancing, barbequing, eating, laughing and painting with children adults. We gave away Sista2Sista Soul2Soul goodie bags and other free household items.
The adults reminisced about their labor day festivities as the last "Hoorah" of the summer season of playing with friends and eating grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Do you recall the freedom experienced as a child? Do your remember being free from labor and just enjoying child's play? Irrespective of what we experience as adults, we can exercise our freedom of mind and spirit. What do you need to be free from today.
The adults reminisced about their labor day festivities as the last "Hoorah" of the summer season of playing with friends and eating grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Do you recall the freedom experienced as a child? Do your remember being free from labor and just enjoying child's play? Irrespective of what we experience as adults, we can exercise our freedom of mind and spirit. What do you need to be free from today.
As a side note, the picture below on the left is the unfinished communal art project created by both adult and children attendees. The picture on the top right was taken at a hotel room in Atlantic City. It served as the perfect inspiration and depiction of our Labor Day BBQ event. We listened to music, danced, painted and so much more. Do you see the resemblance with the finished communal art piece??
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You Are Not Alone
In September & October 2021, we began celebrating our 10 years in service anniversary with our Labor Day BBQ & Speak Out Loud event. In addition, we went traveled to Pittsburgh again to reconnect with our partners, Let's Get Free. We truly enjoyed our fellowship and talked about the power of creating community through art.
The communal art piece on the right was created with Let's Get Free. The one on the right was created in a two-step process. The first step was created by a woman, whose identity will remain confidential, is formerly incarcerated, open about her Bipolar Disorder and uses the dot painting technique for self-care to manage her mental health symptoms. Dr. Webb added layers and the background to this piece of art.
The theme for both communal art projects is: You Are Not Alone. Greeting cards were created and mailed to our Sistas in Muncy and Cambridge Springs using both art pieces.
The communal art piece on the right was created with Let's Get Free. The one on the right was created in a two-step process. The first step was created by a woman, whose identity will remain confidential, is formerly incarcerated, open about her Bipolar Disorder and uses the dot painting technique for self-care to manage her mental health symptoms. Dr. Webb added layers and the background to this piece of art.
The theme for both communal art projects is: You Are Not Alone. Greeting cards were created and mailed to our Sistas in Muncy and Cambridge Springs using both art pieces.
Let's Get Free Community in Pittsburgh, PA
In Joy
Man ol' man, as Opportunity, Inc. ended its 10 years in service celebratory events, we sum up our decade with the phrase, In Joy. Inspired by our Sista2Sista Soul2Soul communal art project in November 2021 with members from Let’s Get Free, CADBI and FAMM, we underwent a series of deep meditation exercises, processing our experiences as family members and advocates of persons who are incarcerated and painting. In addition, we laughed and cried. The most endearing memory during our time together creating art work for our Sistas included the joy experienced in the moment. Each of us walked away with a deeper sense of human connection. We did not simply enjoy one another and the process of creating for those on the inside. We existed in joy…
Alan & Antionette, members of Let's Get Free, CABDI & FAMM
Opportunity, Inc Ends 2021...
"In Complete Harmony"
We, at Opportunity, Inc., thank you so much for another great year, in actuality 10 years. In spite of continued challenges faced as a result of COVID-19, we pressed on with the Sista2Sista Soul2Soul mission of women on the outside creating art and community for women on the inside. Here's some our accomplishments during 2021:
- Facilitated our very first MLK Day, Valentine's Day, Women's Month & Mothers & Daughters Special communal art projects. We also gave away special Mothers & Daughters gifts thanks to Mrs. C. Wiggins.
- Completed 15 Sista2Sista Soul2Soul communal art projects via community events, organizational partnerships and one-to-one connections including one with Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary human services' bachelor level students in the Community Development and Assessment course.
- Expanded the program to 318 women who are incarcerated and maintain communication
- Partnered with Why Not Prosper for their 20 year anniversary celebration and created 4 communal arts with the organization
- Made the program national by recruiting volunteers from California, Georgia, Virginia and New York with 14 in total
- Connected with Let's Get Free & CABI in Pittsburgh and completed 2 Sista2Sista Soul2Soul communal are projects with them
- Raised over $2500 in monetary donations from direct giving, auctions sells, fundraising and purchase of greeting cards
- Launched our visit Double Good popcorn fundraiser
- Reconnected with UrStorytellers to host the Speak Out Loud event as a part of our 10 year anniversary celebration
- Sold via direct contract or via auctions 8 Sista2Sista communal art projects
- Received honor from Philabundance alongside Keep It Real Ministry for the 'Small, Yet Mighty' Award for the 59th & Lansdowne Food Bank
- Partnered with a filmmaker, C. Schuremberg based in Manhattan, for her documentary titled, Her Perspective, about women who are currently and formerly incarcerated and those who support them personally and politically.
- Submitted our communal art projects for auctioning at Philly's FIGHT ICJ and Let's Get Free yearly shows to fight injustices for those who are incarcerated
- Hosted our very own art auction and the 'You Rock" Award ceremony as our 10-year finale celebration at Adobe Cafe.
- Applied to be an Official Visitor with the PA Prison Society and became a contributing author for their newsletter titled, Graterfriends.
- Published an article in the Daughters newsletter spearheaded by a woman at SCI Muncy & supported by Let's Get Free and
- Created our annual "End of the Year" painting and card: Opportunity, Inc. Presents "In Complete Harmony"
We can take a lesson from fish:
Let's swim in complete harmony with ourselves, others and our environment...
Let's swim in complete harmony with ourselves, others and our environment...