Many neighborhoods in Baltimore and other cities are afflicted with endemic challenges including housing instability, addiction and trauma. Additionally, stigmatization related to racism, sexism and poverty play important roles in perpetuating divestment and economic underdevelopment in primarily Black and Brown communities. Daily exposure to violence and trauma due to unjust and oppressive systems in addition to a diminished availability of relatable exemplars continue to barricade our residents from overcoming such economic, community and personal challenges.

Economic hardship and health insecurity within divested communities is prevalent despite proximity to prestigious institutions (such as Johns Hopkins) and high wealth areas, demonstrated by significant gaps in life expectancies between areas only several miles apart. To date, traditional investments of health resources, both private and government, and academic contributions have shown insufficient to address our community’s needs. For many, the pervasive threats of daily violence, the constant threat of addiction, the limited availability of meaningful mental health and medical care, the lack of culturally relevant educational modalities, the dearth of economic resources and the overwhelming stigma faced on moment-to-moment bases are often insurmountable barriers to our progress.

WombWork Productions, in conjunction with Virtues Matter, has demonstrated success over the last decade in its mission to provide creative avenues for expression of individual and collective concerns. Through facilitated storytelling, creative expression and impactful theater productions, participants and audiences have opportunities to explore difficult and complex concerns related to, but not limited to stigmatization, trauma and addiction. These expressions of shared concerns continue via post-production discussions which serve as effective forums to facilitate communal healing, restorative practices and community designed solutions.