
Mental Health Monday Arts Programming for People Experiencing Homelessness
Homelessness is a serious concern in the United States, increasing by 6% since 2017. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 3500 people experience homelessness on any night in Alabama. Local shelters often provide meals, life-skill training, and other services. Some even provide opportunities for arts engagement. This month VMHM will explore a Birmingham-based program, InToto Creative Arts Forum, dedicated to providing a safe space for creative exploration for those affected by homelessness or incarceration.
Please contact Lauren Edwards with any questions (laurenme@uab.edu).
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Tam DeBolt is a woman of the North, living in the South, and loving it. She worked in the Manufacturing Automation field for years, after moving to Birmingham in 1998, all while doing local and professional theatre both here in Alabama and regionally. During that time she performed, directed, and designed at almost every theatre in town. In 2016, Tam was hired to be the Executive Director of Terrific New Theatre, right after one of its founders – Carl Stewart – retired. When the pandemic closed the doors of TNT on March 14, 2020, Tam set out to find a new building for the theatre, so it could reopen once the health crisis was past us. Today, more than three years since that fateful day, she is still doing just that
It was during the pandemic that Tam met Kyle … a man with an idea and a dream. Together, they created InToto Creative Arts Forum. Shortly after their first meeting, more people quickly became part of the plan and the non-profit was born. The original idea was to take theatre to the men at The Firehouse, as a creative outlet of expression and since then the program has expanded to feature poetry, creative writing, visual art of MANY mediums, improv, and movement classes.
UAB AIM’s Virtual Mental Health Monday Series is made possible by
Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation
Miriam Kirklin Reed
Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust
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