Inspire Bath Prisoners
Donation protected
Inspire Bath Medium Institution Inmates
“…I would like to acknowledge your initiative's efforts in addressing the social needs of the offender population and congratulate you on a successful inaugural event. The promising feedback provided by those who attended the December 2015 recital at Bath Institution speaks to the positive impact this program can have….”
Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, August 3,2016
Dear Friend,
In a prison, the body is confined for a period of time and then it returns to the freedom of society. But if the mind is also imprisoned, what can we expect from these new members?
Our organization frees the minds of inmates and gives them the motivation to be better.
We sometimes feel helpless to affect the security of our communities. Finally, we have this unique opportunity to decide whether former inmates become predators or ambassadors of good will.
Our message is simple: Don't look back on what you have done - Look at the Stars and believe in what you are still capable of.
BATH STORY
Looking at the Stars Foundation (a registered federal charity Reg. No. 77958 5298 RR0001) are happy to return to Bath Medium Security Institution and to continue our inspirational project, which began on December 29,2015, when about 50 inmates packed the small prison chapel (pictured in the photo above) to see and hear a professional classical concert . The majority never attended a classical music concert or saw a concert grand piano.
It was our first, hence historic entry to prison.
We, like the inmates, had no idea what to expect. The young artist, Mr. Lukas Geniušas and I were extremely nervous and hesitant about crossing the gate and the security office on this snowy cold New Year’s eve, after a lengthy drive in the dark from Toronto. However, as soon as we were enthusiastically greeted (standing ovation) by the crowd consisting of inmates, acting warden, chaplain and prison staff, gathered outside chapel, our tension instantly evaporated. We were welcomed as superstars, old friends, dignitaries - without saying one word or playing one note… This is, when I discovered a simple truth about inmates: THEY NEED TO BE SEEN AS HUMAN BEINGS AND REMEMBERED. The following testimonials support this discovery:
“For the first time in a long time, I felt like a human being”
Anonymous Inmate, December 29,2015
“…I find myself empowered as a person, a human being, so for that I thank the Creator for bringing you into my life at this what was a dark chapter of my life, and I thank you for holding the candle to shine upon me and light the path on which I must walk…”
Anonymous Inmate, December 29,2015
“…The power of classical music knows no limitations… evoking emotions from the deep core of my being, igniting that fire I need to keep living, not just existing in the world…”
Anonymous Inmate, December 29,2015
"https://vimeo.com/205397485"
“…It’s very easy to think, that no one cares about people in prison. This event has shown me that’s not true…”
Anonymous Inmate, April 19,2016
“…Thank you for caring for people, who you do not know and who are looked down upon from many eyes in society…”
Anonymous Inmate, April 19,2016
MOONLIGHT SONATA
The performance was continuously interrupted by the standing ovations of the crowd, representing our multicultural Canada. When it was over, the first of many speakers from the audience kindly requested that Lukas perform Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, but Lukas – still stressed, astonished and unprepared – promised to do it upon his next return to Bath, which took place almost 1.5 years later - on April 19,2017.
He kept his promise and asked the inmate to identify himself in the audience of about 80 prior to performing the piece. No one responded. Lukas went on to perform. Later we found out, that the inmate, who requested the Beethoven died several weeks before our visit. We then opened our next performances in Workworth and Archambault Institutions with “Moonlight Sonata” in memory of this inmate. We now open all our concerts with this piece in memoriam…
On December 29, 2015 at around 8:30 pm all 50 inmates in attendance lined up and all 50 wanted to say something important to both of us and to shake our hand and to thank us after it was over. On the way back to the gate, we saw same many inmates waving at us from the windows from their many units. Lukas later told me, that this expression of gratitude has far surpassed the applause of the esteemed audiences he is used to perform in front of on “big” international stages ( Lukas is 2010 Chopin and 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competitions silver medalist).
UNEXPECTED SURPRISES
Prison presented and continues to present completely unexpected surprises – we are now more educated and are better prepared to face simple, yet intellectually challenging questions, receive profoundly intelligent, philosophical and deeply emotional letters from the inmates’ audiences - written off comfortably by society as vile, ignorant and senseless.
Classical Music changes people’s lives and inmates, who are much more sensitive to it, given their unique circumstances are a "captive truth" of this. We have promised to return to Bath on a regular basis and are keeping this promise in early April. Inmates believe in us and look forward to this rare opportunity to find peace and look at the stars.
SHARING COMMON FUTURE
During our April Event a string trio, comprised of musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will present their program of classical masterpieces. It will be their 3rd Event with us at CSC. The trio have already presented this program to Beaver Creek Minimum and Medium Institutions in Gravenhurst last year. It was phenomenally well received by the inmates.
Please, support our return to Bath and help us bring hope to the hopeless with whom we share common future. We need your help and ongoing support to make this world a more peaceful place for us and our children.
As a Federally incorporated charitable organization, we have the capability to issue tax receipts for donations. Please contact us when you make a donation, if you require a tax receipt.
Most sincerely,
Dmitri Kanovich
On behalf of the Board of Looking at the Stars Foundation
“…I would like to acknowledge your initiative's efforts in addressing the social needs of the offender population and congratulate you on a successful inaugural event. The promising feedback provided by those who attended the December 2015 recital at Bath Institution speaks to the positive impact this program can have….”
Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, August 3,2016
Dear Friend,
In a prison, the body is confined for a period of time and then it returns to the freedom of society. But if the mind is also imprisoned, what can we expect from these new members?
Our organization frees the minds of inmates and gives them the motivation to be better.
We sometimes feel helpless to affect the security of our communities. Finally, we have this unique opportunity to decide whether former inmates become predators or ambassadors of good will.
Our message is simple: Don't look back on what you have done - Look at the Stars and believe in what you are still capable of.
BATH STORY
Looking at the Stars Foundation (a registered federal charity Reg. No. 77958 5298 RR0001) are happy to return to Bath Medium Security Institution and to continue our inspirational project, which began on December 29,2015, when about 50 inmates packed the small prison chapel (pictured in the photo above) to see and hear a professional classical concert . The majority never attended a classical music concert or saw a concert grand piano.
It was our first, hence historic entry to prison.
We, like the inmates, had no idea what to expect. The young artist, Mr. Lukas Geniušas and I were extremely nervous and hesitant about crossing the gate and the security office on this snowy cold New Year’s eve, after a lengthy drive in the dark from Toronto. However, as soon as we were enthusiastically greeted (standing ovation) by the crowd consisting of inmates, acting warden, chaplain and prison staff, gathered outside chapel, our tension instantly evaporated. We were welcomed as superstars, old friends, dignitaries - without saying one word or playing one note… This is, when I discovered a simple truth about inmates: THEY NEED TO BE SEEN AS HUMAN BEINGS AND REMEMBERED. The following testimonials support this discovery:
“For the first time in a long time, I felt like a human being”
Anonymous Inmate, December 29,2015
“…I find myself empowered as a person, a human being, so for that I thank the Creator for bringing you into my life at this what was a dark chapter of my life, and I thank you for holding the candle to shine upon me and light the path on which I must walk…”
Anonymous Inmate, December 29,2015
“…The power of classical music knows no limitations… evoking emotions from the deep core of my being, igniting that fire I need to keep living, not just existing in the world…”
Anonymous Inmate, December 29,2015
"https://vimeo.com/205397485"
“…It’s very easy to think, that no one cares about people in prison. This event has shown me that’s not true…”
Anonymous Inmate, April 19,2016
“…Thank you for caring for people, who you do not know and who are looked down upon from many eyes in society…”
Anonymous Inmate, April 19,2016
MOONLIGHT SONATA
The performance was continuously interrupted by the standing ovations of the crowd, representing our multicultural Canada. When it was over, the first of many speakers from the audience kindly requested that Lukas perform Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, but Lukas – still stressed, astonished and unprepared – promised to do it upon his next return to Bath, which took place almost 1.5 years later - on April 19,2017.
He kept his promise and asked the inmate to identify himself in the audience of about 80 prior to performing the piece. No one responded. Lukas went on to perform. Later we found out, that the inmate, who requested the Beethoven died several weeks before our visit. We then opened our next performances in Workworth and Archambault Institutions with “Moonlight Sonata” in memory of this inmate. We now open all our concerts with this piece in memoriam…
On December 29, 2015 at around 8:30 pm all 50 inmates in attendance lined up and all 50 wanted to say something important to both of us and to shake our hand and to thank us after it was over. On the way back to the gate, we saw same many inmates waving at us from the windows from their many units. Lukas later told me, that this expression of gratitude has far surpassed the applause of the esteemed audiences he is used to perform in front of on “big” international stages ( Lukas is 2010 Chopin and 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competitions silver medalist).
UNEXPECTED SURPRISES
Prison presented and continues to present completely unexpected surprises – we are now more educated and are better prepared to face simple, yet intellectually challenging questions, receive profoundly intelligent, philosophical and deeply emotional letters from the inmates’ audiences - written off comfortably by society as vile, ignorant and senseless.
Classical Music changes people’s lives and inmates, who are much more sensitive to it, given their unique circumstances are a "captive truth" of this. We have promised to return to Bath on a regular basis and are keeping this promise in early April. Inmates believe in us and look forward to this rare opportunity to find peace and look at the stars.
SHARING COMMON FUTURE
During our April Event a string trio, comprised of musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will present their program of classical masterpieces. It will be their 3rd Event with us at CSC. The trio have already presented this program to Beaver Creek Minimum and Medium Institutions in Gravenhurst last year. It was phenomenally well received by the inmates.
Please, support our return to Bath and help us bring hope to the hopeless with whom we share common future. We need your help and ongoing support to make this world a more peaceful place for us and our children.
As a Federally incorporated charitable organization, we have the capability to issue tax receipts for donations. Please contact us when you make a donation, if you require a tax receipt.
Most sincerely,
Dmitri Kanovich
On behalf of the Board of Looking at the Stars Foundation
Organizer
Dmitri Kanovich
Organizer
North York, ON
