MADISON, Wis. — Stephany is currently serving time at the Juvenile Detention Center.
“While he dreamed the clock struck midnight, a gust of wind blew through the room and swept his letter out the window,” said Stephany while reading a children’s book.
Stephany is not her real name, but is being used to protect her privacy.
Stephany and many other kids serving time at the Juvenile Detention Center prepared to paint a mural under the guidance of Maria Schirmer, a professional artist.
She has Stephany reading the children’s book for a reason.
“The purpose is to get us in the spirit of wishing and just get us a little bit playful of doing something that feels, it’s a little bit goofy, it’s a little bit silly but also it can help inspire us,” said Schirmer.
This collaboration between the Juvenile Detention Center and Madison-based artists is part of Madison Public Library’s BUBBLER program.
Schirmer started working with the program two years ago.
“My hope is that it gives [kids] a sense that they can create something, the future is still open and with the brush in their hand, they can make something that didn’t exist before,” said Schirmer.
The theme of the mural Stephany was working on is “things we wish you knew.”
“The bigger picture of the mural is to stop and think about, maybe these kids are not that bad,” said Stephany.
“I think kids in the justice system are usually viewed as what they have done or what their file says or what charges they have,” said Stephany. “It’s really not like that. We want people to look deeper and see how we are as people.”
Stephany said she understands that she made mistakes, but she also feels that people judge her based on the mistakes she has made instead of trying to understand what led her to those choices.
“We’re children, you know 14-17, we have lives, we don’t want to be in here, this is not what we were meant for,” said Stephany. “We’re destined for something else; we want to do bigger things in life.”
Stephany, like many other kids serving time in the detention center, had a very traumatic childhood.
She said she looks up to her mother but has not been able to see her in a few years because she has been incarcerated.
“I am grateful for my mom. She has been here since the beginning,” said Stephany. “No matter what, she is always going to support me, so I think it is more about gratitude and being humble.”
The length of a child’s stay at the detention center varies depending on the severity of their crime.
For non-violent and less serious offenses, children can stay for a few weeks.
Schirmer said it’s not a lot of time for her to make a lasting impact, but she does what she can.
“I want them to feel like there were adults in their life who cared about them and who saw them for more than just the moment for the thing that got them here,” said Schirmer.
During Stephany’s time in the detention center, she was able to call her mother once a day, but when her mother is not around, she looks to God.
“I really have found a greater power in here. I have started praying since I have been in here just to get my mind off whatever I have going on, just to have someone to talk to,” said Stephany.
If you would like to get involved with the BUBBLER Program to help support more collaborations like this one, click here.