FRANKFORT, Ky. — A new image of healing and community is being fostered between Frankfort’s Drug Recovery Court and the city’s police department. Together, they are creating unique works of art to show the healing process of recovery.
Jennifer Hay and three other women from the Frankfort Drug Court Recovery program are working through their recovery. Recently, they came together for a special tribute.
The group helped create the city’s newest mural dedicated to the journey of healing and shows how art can help in recovery.
“This one, we had to get creative,” Hay said. “With the other ones, she had brought like tree branches and leaves and things to be creative with, so it’s very abstract, I think. But yes, all of our handprints are in here.” That’s how Hay describes a new seven-panel mural created made by the group.
They were joined by officers with the Frankfort Police Department.
“Coming into it and working with the police officers, I was a little nervous. But they came dressed in regular clothes, which made, you know, we were all just people at the end of the day,” Hay shared.
Yes Arts, a community involvement, addiction support and the outreach group, helped their dreams come to fruition.
Director Elle Travis says this relationship is imperative and is building new relationships between law enforcement and people in recovery.
“It’s been beautiful, it’s been remarkable, but this particular program was a collaboration with the Frankfort Police Department, and we’ve not seen that happen before where we saw that engagement from both sides and it’s bringing down barriers in our community,” Travis said.
Hay says having support and opportunities to engage with a new community has changed her life.
“I have used some kind of substance for 30 years of my life and it took a community to get me sober and I’m so grateful for that community because today I’ll live, and I have sober laughter and enjoy the sunshine. It’s the little things,” she said.
Hay says the group often uses art resources, therapy and more on their journey. She adds this project and the people behind it were significant for many reasons.
“You know, I think it is important for us to be able to reach out and that is a strong part of our community,” Hay said. “You know, they’re full of resources. They can lead us where we need to be”
The new seven-panel mural hangs on the Yes Arts building on the corner of Conway Street and W. Second Street in Frankfort.