Julia Galetti

In order to overcome the stigma of parole and homelessness, Julia will teach a beginners writing class and organize a book signing for residents of Project Home and outreach homeless clients. She plans to publish the writer's work, all the while photographing and documenting the process and giving hope to these individuals. As a formerly homeless woman, she strives to bring awareness to this problem and prevent relapse.

Julia will help teach a sewing class at Project HOME, where she resides, ensuring that these classes are regularly offered to residents. As a formerly homeless person, Julia can relate to the students who will be in her classes, many of whom are homeless or formerly homeless themselves. Through these classes, Julia will help empower her fellow community members, teaching sewing as a means for building respect and positive representation. In addition, members of the class will be able to learn entrepreneurial skills, by selling their sewing projects at the Fairmount Arts Crawl as part of Project HOME's craft sale. This class is for women and men, helping people learn skills that go beyond basic mending.

Julia will teach quilting at Project H.O.M.E. in efforts to empower fellow residents and others to understand the power of art and its potential in their life, just as it has impacted her, providing inspiration to continue on her path to be independent again. The class will culminate with a potlatch, an event in which community, staff and residents alike bring food and stories, poetry, books to share with each other and celebrate community.