The mission of A Touch of Light is to work with Captive Artists from around the world, using the Arts to create social change and Second Chances for families of the incarcerated, and for prisoners being released without support. We are strongly committed to working with incarcerated military veterans, using art therapy programs to help heal the combined traumas of combat exposure and incarceration. Our long-term goal is to assist in reducing the recidivism rate for current and formerly incarcerated persons, and disrupt the multi-generational cycle of incarceration within families. We do this by supporting educational scholarships for children with an incarcerated parent, as well as rehabilitative and therapeutic art programs and Second Chance opportunities for newly released prisoners who may not be eligible for assistance from state or local agencies. In addition to those incarcerated in jail or prison, we define the term “Captive Art” to include all artists who are confined in some way, such as hospitals or nursing homes, as well as those who are stateless or confined to refugee camps. We believe in the power of Art to heal families and our society at large, and to create new opportunities for giving back to our communities, states, and the nation.
