It started with a prayer. Several years ago, Joy Johnson was yearning for a way to use her creative talents and reach out to women in need. Because of a rumor that there were craft classes taught in the prison, she contacted the women’s prison in Cranston, RI, to help. Finding out that there were no crafts in the prison, Joy developed an idea for incarcerated women giving back to the community by making dolls for charity. After Joy made an appointment for an initial meeting with a prison official to discuss the formalities of the program, she contacted Donna Baril, Director of the Women’s Ministry, about her idea. Joy was supported and encouraged by Donna and later Pastor Dennis from that beginning.
Dianne Smith joined Joy as they started the proposal process at the prison. They learned it was a long process, taking a full nine months before they received approval from the prison to start the program. In the meantime, while they were undergoing background checks and volunteer training, they met leaders in the Girl Scout's "Beyond Bars" program, which was already in place. So when the checks and training were done, they were asked to offer a sewing class at one of their sessions in the Dorothea Dix Women’s Minimum Security Facility. The class was a great success and they were invited by the warden to launch the program in the Gloria McDonald Women’s Medium Security Facility as well. Once the details were worked out about what kind of materials could be used, including size, type and number of scissors and needles, the program was underway!
From that point on, each Tuesday, Joy and Dianne gently instructed 10-20 women on how to create the small, soft, cuddly Woobies that have brought comfort to children in locations all over the world. Dedicated volunteers at the church pre-cut and pre-sew the dolls so that they are easier for the women to complete and add their own creative flourishes. Even those with no sewing experience are able to complete several dolls in a session. Joy notes that she has heard many stories about how much it means to inmates to be able to send one of their handmade dolls to their own relatives. So far, over 3,000 dolls have been sent to area fire departments, social workers, Ronald McDonald House, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, foster care homes, a home for abused and neglected babies in Louisiana, and most recently, to comfort children in the wake of the Haiti disaster.
Creating the dolls is work that everyone enjoys, as it gives them a purpose and connection to others. Joy emphasizes, “This is a place where women can gather and feel no judgement, only welcome, and know that they will be treated with dignity and respect.” Dianne stated, “It is always a moving experience since we are all moms and all want to do something for our children. We feel a connection and compassion for each of these women, many of whom come from abusive homes. It is hard to put yourself where they have been and understand the pain they have had or what addiction has done to them. It breaks your heart.”
While teaching the classes and interacting with the women are rewarding for both Joy and Dianne, it is only a small part of what keeps them involved. It is the connection with the women and the ability to impact their lives that means the most to them. In fact, Joy has found a new opportunity to share her Christian faith with others as a result of assisting Reverend Dr. Joyce Penfield teach Bible study classes at the prison. In addition to her weekly sewing class, Joy is now part of the teaching ministry at the prison that gives new hope and purpose to many.
Dianne and Joy stressed that the experience has changed how they view prison. They have learned to see prison life from multiple perspectives, from the prisoner to the legal. Although they have a great deal of empathy for the prisoners, both understand why the women are imprisoned for their crimes. Being incarcerated is difficult for the women and their families and Dianne and Joy often think of what will happen to these women when they are released back into society. They know that the odds are stacked against them and that there is a great need for prison reform to cut recidivism.
When asked about what their needs are for the program, both enthusiastically replied:
• They need volunteers to help with pre-work of preparing doll “kits”
• Donations of cash are most appreciated in order to buy materials, as well as
gift cards from Jo-Ann’s Fabrics and Staples
• They are looking for a volunteer to help with administrative details, including
packing and distributing Woobies and finding new contact sources
Dianne and Joy welcome any help you can give to this most worthwhile mission. As both affirmed, working with the women inmates has made a great impact on their lives. Both agreed that this experience has made them understand the teaching in “The Hole in our Gospel” series much more clearly and what is meant in Matthew 25:40, “Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.”
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