It’s June – this month Dazzle will recognize Juneteenth and are proud to present our non-profit of the month: Mirror Image Arts
Mirror Image Arts is disrupting the Pipeline to Prison through Restorative Theatre™ throughout the Greater Denver Metropolitan Area.
The prison pipeline is a charged and complicated issue, affecting youth right here in Colorado. The United States persists in incarcerating children and youth despite overwhelming evidence of its ineffectiveness in steering them away from further system involvement. As we celebrate Juneteenth this month, children of color continue to be especially vulnerable to overcriminalization and therefore overrepresented on every front. Of the 265,600 children arrested in the United States in 2021, 1 in 3 were Black children, though Black children constitute only 15% of the nation’s youth population.
Mirror Image Arts™ utilizes Restorative Theatre™, positive youth development, and trauma-informed and restorative approaches to disrupt this pipeline. They work with youth (ages 7-21) in schools, diversion programs, and juvenile detention centers. Through their work they aim to:
- Provide youth a safe, caring relationship with a trusted adult.
- Co-create spaces of belonging where youth AND youth-serving adults can build self-awareness, connection and empathy.
- Offer youth-supported spaces where they can process their emotions, practice bold decision-making, and reflect on the results of their choices.
- Role model for youth how resilience can be expressed so they can navigate difficult social situations and come back stronger.
- Assist schools and youth detention centers in their move from punitive disciplinary practices toward positive youth development and healing-centered engagement.
- We create impact and collective liberation through three areas of approach: Prevention, Intervention, and Reintegration.
Donate directly to MIA: https://www.
“Restorative Theatre™ with Mirror Image Arts brought me and my podmates together and helped us put our differences aside.” – Youth Participant
“I loved feeling heard during MIA. I learned to be more loving to myself and not let others’ negativity get to me.” – Youth Participant
“I felt safe in programming with Mirror Image Arts because I could be myself.” – Youth Participant
