Inspiritus Art Therapy Projects in the News!

'We should just come together.' Murfreesboro kids work with art therapist, design mural about racism.

Last week, News Channel 5 featured students at the McFadden Community Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The kids worked with Devon Billions-Gomez, an Inspiritus art therapist, on a mural designed to help process the difficult issue of racism in the world.

"Bright no matter the color" was the centerpiece of the mural. It was a quote submitted by 13-year-old Inspiritus Thrive Studios artist, Mackensie Hall.

Watch the coverage by clicking on the image below:

Many of the kids expressed a desire for racism to be erased and tackled the difficult subject by painting a vibrant rainbow and fists in different skin colors.

"The kids need to know their voices matter...they are having their own full life experiences just as much as we are."

– Devon Billions-Gomez, Inspiritus Art Therapist

Last month, another one of our murals was featured in the news thanks to the hard work and dedication of Inspiritus art therapist, Devon Billions-Gomez.

This mural was created by artist Omari Booker and children from the Cheatham Place public housing community in North Nashville. Devon and Omari worked closely with the kids to create this mural currently on view at the Local Distro building in Nashville.

Please consider a donation to our Thrive Studios Program so we can continue to empower these children on their path from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

Celebrating 10 Years of Healthy Gardens!

Inspiritus' Healthy Gardens Program is *growing* strong!

After a 10-year success rate, Inspiritus' Healthy Gardens Program is expanding into new neighborhoods and communities. On Saturday, June 26th, we will plant raised-bed gardens at the historical Bradley Academy & Museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Inspiritus has also been asked to collaborate with Rosenwald Schools, a historical site in Bedford County, where we will be planting 10-20 raised garden beds (this site sits right next to a public housing community in Shelbyville, TN).

Our Healthy Gardens Program provides raised-bed gardens to teach and empower families living in public and subsidized-housing to grow their own fresh vegetables. These gardens increase the nutritional content of meals in the diets of families who often live in food deserts, struggle with transportation, and consume high fat and high salt content foods.

These gardens have proven to decrease a sense of isolation and promote healthy social interaction and support.

Cathy, one of our outstanding gardeners in Murfreesboro, had this to say about our program:

"It's awesome. I already ate 11 cucumbers and have lots of green big tomatoes. Next week, I'll be giving them away because I have so many! The lady at Salvation Army who feeds the homeless said she will take all the extras I have to make soup. I've already given them 2 sacks of sweet peas! Feels too good to give rather than get."

By raising gardens, individuals and families gain independence and responsibility as each garden is usually located right outside their home. Inspiritus provides everything a family needs to get started: raised-beds, soil, seeds, plants, tools, and on-going mentoring. Through this service, program participants are able to increase their self-esteem as they continue to garden successfully year after year - learning new techniques and sharing their experience with others in their community.

In honor of our 10th anniversary, please consider a donation to our Healthy Gardens Program so we can continue to empower these individuals and families on their path from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

Inspirational Gardening

Hello Friends,

As we head into the holiday weekend, we are reminded of the joys of enjoying outdoor activities. With weather this warm, it's prime gardening time. We'd like to share the story of a very special gardener who is near and dear to our hearts: Charlie Jones.

Charlie lives at MDHA's Cheatham Place and is an active participant in our Healthy Gardens program. From tilling the soil to thoughtfully caring for each fruit and vegetable, Charlie sees his garden as an opportunity to not only be self-sufficient (he lost both legs a few years ago), but to also plant seeds of inspiration within his neighbors throughout Cheatham Place.

Watch Charlie's story by clicking on the image below:

Charlie Jones, our wonderful gardener from Cheatham Place

Our Healthy Gardens program has been helping people like Charlie since 2011. We started with just 12 gardens for elderly, parents, and children in low-income areas. Those 12 initial gardens have now grown to over 204+ gardens in three counties in Middle Tennessee!

Through Healthy Gardens, families and individuals have easy and free access to fruits and vegetables to supplement their meals as well as a healthy outlet for relieving stress and staying active.

Another resident at Cheatham Place gardening

Your donations help us empower these vulnerable friends of ours with the opportunity to increase their food security, as well as improve their overall health and well-being.

We hope you all continue to stay safe and healthy during these upcoming summer months. Thank you for your prayers and support. I pray you have a fun and restful Memorial Day weekend!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

More Cheatham Place residents enjoying our annual plant day. The beginning of May marked 10 YEARS of GARDENING for our wonderful gardeners in Cheatham Place.