The Director

Kelly Boon,
Executive Director and founder of partners Unlimited

Many have asked, "What motivated me to do this?" At first, I thought it was through hearing the experiences of inmates that were in the work release program in our building and the fascinating information that crossed my desk at the Iowa Arts Council--of arts in prisons programming in other states--and the amazing impact it was having in people's lives. But as I continued to develop partners Unlimited that first year, I began to realize the real reason. It was about me.

As I grew up, I was not a traditional learner. Reading and math were very hard for me. I wanted to be a writer, but my inept spelling and grammar (along with some teachers) steered me away.

In elementary school, I was segregated into the "C" group for slower learners ...nobody was kidding us, we all knew it meant stupid. I always scored very low in listening and following directions. I grew up struggling to make C's, yet excelling in all of the arts. It wasn't until I had achieved my teaching certificate and began teaching art in the public school systems that I realized that the kids coming into my art room were a lot like me. Many were failing miserably in academics and soaring in the arts. At that time Howard Gardner and others were gaining popularity in their writings about multiple forms of intelligence. I was an adult before I realized… I am an intelligent person!

What I observe happening in our communities today is not much different than when I was growing up. We are still labeling kids. So instead of the "C" group, kids are now labeled with learning disabilities, special-ed, Resource and put into BD (behavior disorder) rooms. We're still not fooling anyone. When we segregate kids, we are sending the message that they are different and the message is far from a positive one.

86% of our kids who are dropping out of school have been labeled with learning disabilities. Our highest incarceration rate, are kids who have dropped out of school. When I approach prisons and other facilities with our programming, they always say, "Oh, we have so many talented people here!" And I smile and reply, "I know." The saddest part is most of them don't even know it. They struggle, sometimes their entire lives not realizing that they are the explorers… the leaders, with incredible untapped gifts to share. As T, (a friend and partners artist) told me, "We are the explorers. We can't do things the way others do, because we see life differently. So we have to be creative to think of new ways… to find new paths."

I believe our society continues to drop the ball in our educational system by not recognizing the value of each individual and helping every child to discover their gifts! To succeed! If we were using the arts to teach all kids in every subject matter; everyone would soar, not just a few.

Our greatest barrier in life and in teaching is effective communication. The arts are communication... verbal, visual, experiential, audio and tactile understanding. Even traditional learners benefit in arts environments and no one would be alienated. All are encouraged and have self worth. More than anything else, that is what partners brings... self worth. Belief in self.

Most of the kids and adults in our programs have had a lifetime of failures and disappointments. I was fortunate. I had a supportive and loving family. Most have not. Not only have they had unsuccessful learning experiences, but have had very dysfunctional childhoods as well. Very few feel valued for who they are and what they can give. They have looked for a feeling of worth in all of the wrong places.

Nearly all have been bombarded with what they "shouldn't do" and with punitive responses their entire lives. It is impressive to hear inmates share their diagnosis and regurgitate all of the right answers for healthy relationships and successful living, but few can actually live it.

What makes our program different, is the creative process. It is internal. It is the gateway to the soul. The artist guides this process and helps us to dig deeper, past all of the junk... to the truth... the good stuff. That's when transformation takes place. That is self realization--becoming real! It no longer requires peer approval... if I feel good about who I am, that's enough. So attitudes change, and so does my recognition of how-- what I say and do impacts those around me. What I create, has a message! I have value! For many in our programs, it is the first time in their lives to receive praise. Staff, families and peers are astounded at what they see transpire in these individuals. But more surprised than anyone else, are the participants. They can't wait to share how they've changed!

I have experienced tremendous fulfillment in nurturing my own creativity though out my life, but nothing compares to seeing this transformation shine through the people we are working with! It is exciting to see communities gather and become moved by the impact of what they see in the eyes of these children and adults. They see honesty and vulnerability. They see someone …like them.

A former inmate spent months knocking on the doors of McDonalds trying to get a job. At one of our events, he shared his experience of working with partners programming. He brought tears to the eyes of those who listened and watched. This young man was swarmed by the audience following the event. He suddenly felt like a celebrity.

In this process, participants are lifted to the realization of their potential, and are then able to envision the importance of interacting positively within their communities.

We lift people up. We change attitudes of communities, of facilities and of individuals who have experienced a lot of failure. Like Patch Adams, we believe that the health of an individual cannot be separated from the health of the family, community and the world.

Are you wondering why ART could be so powerful as to change a difficult ten-year-old into a smiling achiever? Or transform a hardened criminal into a goal-oriented student? It's not magic. It's about TRUTH. The act of creating actually touches us at the soul level, the level of human potential, the plateau of understanding where we are all one, and yet all unique. Here are some of the outcomes we are experiencing:

• Academics improve,
• Destructive behaviors are dramatically reduced,
• Mental, emotional and physical health improve,
• Attitudes change significantly as do the reduction of incarceration and the return rate to prison,
• Self-worth is inspired, and
• Dreams are born!

Here are some partners' truths:

"When I'm here, it's the only time I don't feel angry and hate everybody."
- 10 year-old student

"It was fabulous-I don't think words can describe the many feelings I had as I watched and listened to the women. I can only imagine what it must be like to work through the entire process and watch the evolution that we saw in the performance."
- Audience member after a partners' performance

"This program is a freight train, get on board and be a part of it or you're going to wish you had! … In one word, it would be HOPE."
- Audience member after a partners' performance

A young alternative school student who had participated in a partners performance school assembly, beamed when she reported that upon returning to her classroom following the assembly, her classmates broke into loud applause!