An organization that inspires so many, young and old, to realize their full potential, begins with the wonderful board of directors, staff, facilitators, and volunteers.
So we asked the good people of Art from Ashes: what inspired you to dedicate your time to this powerful work? How do you continue to be inspired? Here is what they had to say:
Marie Verrett, Director of Operations
AfA director of operations Marie Verrett
I met Catherine [O'Neill Thorn] before Art from Ashes, Inc. was founded in 2003. As I reflect on it, it still astounds me that I am actually working in the organization that was a powerful vision in Catherine’s mind seven years ago–even longer because Catherine has been doing this work for 18 years now. Tina Griego (at the time a reporter for The Rocky Mountain News) wrote an article about Catherine’s dream of running a nonprofit using poetry as a medium to reach struggling youth. I thought it was a great idea back then and I still think it’s a great idea.
I am one of two founding board members still with the organization, the other is Miranda Middleton who is the current Board President. I thought I was a good board member until I became a staff member in 2008–boy, were my eyes opened! Subsequently, I also participated in a year-long training program conducted by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) that prepares business leaders to serve on the boards of arts nonprofits–absolutely great program.
I was a commercial real estate broker when I met Catherine at a Denver Black Pages’ Strictly Bizness Nite event, I believe in 2002 or early 2003. She was one of the presenters for the evening and I was so impressed with her presentation that I went up to speak with her afterward and got her business card. It was some time after that I read the story and re-connected with her.
I never entertained the thought of ever working in a non-profit although I have I’ve been a volunteer of nonprofits for much of my adult life. It wasn’t until I went with Catherine to a powerful seminar by Jim Collins based on his book GOOD TO GREAT: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … And Others Don’t, that we really began talking about the book, the seminar and the organization. We could see a lot of parallels from the book to the practical application of analyzing Art from Ashes using this perspective and plotting what needed to happen next for the organization to make the leap to the next level. We felt like we needed to have staff now while the momentum was in the organization’s favor. Jim discussed this momentum using a flywheel example–at first, a lot of energy is absorbed when you push against it so that it doesn’t appear to move at all, but if you consistently push against it, it will eventually give way and begin turning on its own inertia.
Within the week, I found myself working full-time at Art from Ashes. Catherine is like that, but I was ready for it. I told her I planned on giving her three months and look at me now, it’s been two very fast years! There is so much I could talk about in terms of being inspired in the organization. The process Catherine developed 18 years ago still kicks butt today. We have measurable results in all the work we do and that’s what excites me besides reading and hearing youth poems from the workshop.
You know what, it’s not about me or what I’m doing. . . it’s about the youth we serve using the power of strong, healthy words to create a positive and self-determined identity. Here’s my favorite poem by Ricardo, 12
The Dance My Father Taught Me
You were teaching me how to dance as a dad,
like how not to take certain steps.
But once I took a wrong step
and stepped on your foot by saying no to you.
You quickly hit me,
so my mom left you.
Now my mom is teaching me how to dance,
and I want to tell you,
she is more swift on her feet.
I don’t have to listen all day just to learn one step.
She shows me where I should step,
and she taught me the steps you could never teach me—
how to be a real man.
She taught me every dance by herself.
She taught me the waltz, the salsa and the man dance.
Drawing on Air program director Susie Martin
Susie Martin, ‘Drawing on Air’ program director
I knew that I wanted to be involved with Art from Ashes from the moment that I sat down with Marie [Verrett] and Catherine [O’Neill Thorn] to discuss starting up a visual art program last fall.
I have never felt so close to an organization’s guiding philosophy as at Art from Ashes, and I love that each and every workshop includes expression, connection and transformation. What more could a person ask for in life?
As with everyone else involved with this organization, I have been personally moved and inspired by the youth that we serve. I love being involved in this community and sharing Art from Ashes with the world.
A memorable workshop experience occurred for me during my training at The Spot, run by Urban Peak. One of the youth was refusing to participate in the beginning, completely shut down around one of the prompts given about looking at the legacy created by our parents. By the end of the evening, he had both written and shared about his pain by performing a poem for everyone to hear. He was visibly lighter and transformed. It was truly an honor to share the space with him.
This happens all the time here as a result of the work that we do. I never stop feeling lucky and blessed to be a part of this organization.
Lindsey Wise, Phoenix Rising program manage
In February 2008 I was working on my bachelor’s degree in human services at Metropolitan State College of Denver when I was introduced to AfA through a friend. He gave me Noelle Benjamin’s card (she was our former Program Director). I needed to find an internship and I wanted to do something with art therapy.
Phoenix Rising program manager Lindsey Wise
I called AfA and came in for an orientation. I loved the environment in the office and everyone seemed to have such a kind spirit. Once I began to work with the youth I fell in love with everything about this organization and the amazing work that they do in the Denver Metro community.
My personal beliefs and the beliefs of AfA matched; that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has the power to create whatever kind of world they want to live in. AfA believes in using the power of strong, healthy words to encourage an identity that is not based in victimization; empowering young people to live healthy, fruitful lives, fully understanding their value and worth.
This agency is amazing, the work we do with young people is truly inspiring and has taken my breath away on more than one occasion. I cannot express the feelings that overwhelm me when the kids look up after reading the poetry they’ve written (in 3 minutes) and an unmistakable look of pride shines on their face to the point that they couldn’t hide it if they tried.
And hearing from a parent or a teacher that they have never seen such confidence radiate from their child is a really special feeling. To know my faith in them gave them the courage to have faith in themselves is really powerful.
