Our Mission
We are a Youth Advocacy organization disrupting the Pipeline to Prison through Restorative Theatre. Our work is the collective liberation of all.
Our Herstory
Mirror Image Arts was founded in 2008 by Erin Jorgensen to use theatre as a catalyst for promoting body positivity and helping young individuals overcome eating disorders. A survivor of an eating disorder, Jorgensen knew firsthand the power of theatre to process and heal.
In 2011, after conducting a comprehensive community needs assessment, the organization redirected its focus toward utilizing theatre to foster Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) among youth.
In early 2020, we took a moment to reflect on the stories shared by the youth we serve, as well as our own experiences on the ground. Through careful strategic planning, we identified and incorporated a new mission for our organization: to collaborate with youth in disrupting the prison pipeline.With an emphasis on K-12 students, especially those in detention centers, we strive to teach social-emotional learning through Restorative Theatre. Through our work, youth have access to the arts and experience spaces of belonging where they can express themselves through play, imagination, and dialogue.
Through studies of the issue and consultation with lead researchers in the field, we have learned that Mirror Image Arts can have a real impact. SEL and theatre can create safe, honest spaces where youth can build and maintain positive relationships with adults and their peers. They can process their challenges and trauma and work toward healing.
