Our Story

In February 2015, artist Doris Thurber’s daughter Maya died of a heroin/fentanyl overdose. A year and a half later, convinced that tackling the massive opioid crisis would require all the skills and engagement our community could muster, Thurber joined fellow artists Joanna Hay and Jennifer Zingg to launch Hands Healing HeArts, a weekly program within Franklin County Drug Court that guides participants through writing, visual art, theater and other creative processes to help give expression to their feelings, experiences and struggles. 

Garnering strong community support, the organization has grown to include several programs that address recovery, prevention, and resilience at all stages of the addiction cycle. In 2019, Hands Healing HeArts became Yes Arts, with the mission of mobilizing the power of community and the arts to disrupt the cycle of addiction. 

Our partnership with Drug Court continues as part of the ART (Achieving Recovery Together) Program, while our Youth and Community programs round out our comprehensive approach to disrupting the addiction cycle.