For those of us who have made the wrong choices and are in prison and are actively trying to improve ourselves and our chances of success, in here and when we get out, there are few options in these cut-back times. In Washington State's Reformatory however, the University Beyond Bars (UBB) provides college and certificate classes to prisoners who prove they are willing to put in the effort to better themselves.
The UBB was founded as a non-profit in 2003 and has provided over 2000 credit hours and has helped 7 students earn AA degrees through partnerships with universities. We believe that everyone deserves a chance at an education, a chance to prove themselves better.
We are a registered 501(c) (3) and any donations are tax-deductible.
For our new semester in January, we would like to have Spanish and Math books that are held together with more than hope. Spanish is one of our most popular classes and math class is a prerequisite to take any College Pathway course. With their donated paintings this summer, our Studio Art: Gouache/Watercolour class raised enough money at a fundraiser to not only continue the class, but help support our whole program. (See more of the art on YouTube: UBB Prison Art Show) But we'd like to include more students from the waiting list and switch to Studio Art: acrylic painting. We would like to purchase enough supplies to add more students so that, hopefully, next summer our next fundraiser can be even more successful. We are proud that we've been able to support ourselves thus far and your help would be just what we need to start this giving process again with an exciting new kind of (permanent and durable) paint and with excited new students.
Here is what we need:
20 copies of Hola, Amigos! 7th edition textbooks: $45 each = $900
20 copies of Developmental Mathematics, 7th edition textbooks: $35 each = $700
12 16.90oz jars of Lukas Cryl Studio Artist's acrylic paint = $128.28
1 8oz jar Liquitex Modelling Paste = $9.09
10 100ml spray bottles = $9.90
1 gallon Gesso (mixing medium used to cut down on cost of paint used) = $34.68
12 Liquitex BASICS white nylon (6) brush set = $62.88
15 No.2 Script brush = $29.40
2 7oz Primed Canvas Roll 63"x216 = $128.96
1 24 pack of 12"x16" Canvas Classroom pack = $32.75
18 Mijello Artelier Airtight Palette 13"x9" (to save on paint costs) = $337.68
9 various How-To DVD's $19.99 to $24.99 each, for a total of about $189.91
Grand Total = $2559.53
Any extra funds will go toward the purchase of college dictionaries (which there are never enough of), other textbooks and student supplies. No funds will go to the admin costs or for extra, unnecessary art supplies.
Besides investing in the education of over 120 students (and growing), who are dedicated to becoming better men - many of whom will be released soon and the recidivism rate of 66% drops to 11% with the completion of an AA degree - in exchange for your gracious support, we have a number of perks available, details of which are listed on the right.
Your gift will help support in tangible, specific ways, with textbooks and art supplies, our Spanish students, our beginning Math students and our Art students, in their journey to become better students, better artists and better people.
Even if you cannot give, you could help by:
Emailing your friends and family and encouraging them to donate.
Sharing our campaign on your blog, social media page or on Twitter.
Thank you for your support!
