METAMORPHOSIS IN ACTION: THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE
Located on campus of Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit, the Butterfly House and surrounding community provides a peaceful cocoon of support to the women during metamorphosis. The Butterfly House itself is a place for release and growth. Some days we cry together, some days we laugh together, and most days it’s everything and all in between. In the house, the women are encouraged to pick colors for the bags based on their feelings during that day, resulting in pieces inspired by both struggles and triumphs.
THE 12 MONTH PROGRAM
The 12-month-long Butterfly Program is centered around reducing recidivism and helping women reintegrate into society after leaving prison. Throughout the program, the women learn technical and creative skills, along with necessary skills for navigating everyday life. We partner with various Detroit-based companies to provide financial literacy training, health and wellness coaching, and future employment opportunities post-graduation of the program.
Most importantly, we work to build confidence that will help the women break through any preconceived notions of what it means to be a previously incarcerated woman.
JOINING THE PROGRAM
We hire women directly from prison to come work for us upon their return to the community. We seek out women who are nearing the end of their sentence through referrals from community programs and women involved with our program. After being welcomed into the program, the women become employed by Bags to Butterflies and begin working together and learning new skills right away.
THE OUTCOME
We get to know our women on a personal level throughout the program and are committed to understanding their wants, hopes, and dreams. We are future-focused and dedicated to sending our women out into the world with a career opportunity waiting for them. Currently, we have women working for social justice organizations, retail, and manufacturing companies, and more.
By the end of their time at the program, these women are family to us, and nothing makes us happier than to watch them take flight and soar.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainably focused, we use mis-tinted paint from local hardware stores, donated auto leather, and are currently working on ways to create all-natural stains and dyes from fruits and vegetables. We use every piece of material to the best of our ability. No effort or resource is ever wasted.