Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Inc. (AHHAH) is proud to announce its upcoming Restorative Justice Open House, taking place on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, located at 226 N. High Street in West Chester. This dynamic community event will spotlight the premiere of Invisible No More, a powerful short documentary created by the youth participants of AHHAH’s Restorative Justice Filmmaking Program. The Open House will be a vibrant evening of storytelling, art, connection, and community celebration. Guests will experience a showcase of work from the Restorative Justice Filmmakers and Photographers, explore the Justice Restored 3.0 traveling art exhibit, and
engage directly with the young creatives whose voices have helped shape this deeply moving film. Music, food, conversation, and heartfelt community engagement will be woven throughout the evening. “This is more than a film screening—it’s a celebration of transformation, truth-telling, and youth leadership,” said Jan Michener, Executive Director of AHHAH. “Our youth are reclaiming their narratives and becoming powerful agents of change through restorative practices and creative expression. Their stories deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.”
The program will include remarks from community leaders and partners, including Chester County Probation’s Lindsay Walton and Jason Torres; photographer and mentor Sandrien De Bruijn; filmmaker and creative director Sean Taylor; and members of the youth filmmaking team. Special thanks will be given to the sponsors and funders who made the project possible, including the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Chester County Commissioners, Foxwynd Foundation, PECO Powering the Arts, and the Independence Public Media Foundation.
Commissioner Josh Maxwell will be in attendance to offer remarks, and gratitude will also be extended to the Coatesville Area School District for supporting the use of the high school’s TV lab to host the filmmaking program this year.
Filmmaker Alyssa Jade, who worked closely with the youth, shared, “Collaborating with these young people was an honor. They opened their lives, their struggles, and their hearts to tell stories that truly matter. Invisible No More is a testament to their courage.” Throughout the evening, a live digital interaction will invite audience members to reflect on the film and share their emotional responses in real time. Certificates and gifts will be presented to the student filmmakers, and the community will be invited to help sponsor the next phase of the program, including the creation of Invisible No More: Part 2. Justin Brown, CEO of JB Trainings and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, added, “What AHHAH is doing through restorative filmmaking is what every community needs—real conversations, real youth leadership, and real investment in justice. We need to support initiatives like this. They are giving the youth a voice and making them responsible for their own futures.”
The event is free and open to the public, with opportunities to support the ongoing work through donations, sponsorships, and engagement with the program’s creative teams.Attendees can add their names to community sponsorship boards located throughout the venue, contribute via QR codes, or speak with team members on-site.
AHHAH is deeply grateful to event sponsors including Presence Bank, MacElree Harvey, Gregory and Laurel Sarian , Richard and Kay Dowgun, the YoQi Class at Kennett Library, Roy Smith, Lou Baccaria and C-Money Consulting. The Restorative Justice Open House promises to be an evening of inspiration, youth empowerment, and collective momentum toward a more just and connected community. To RSVP, view the flyer, or learn more about AHHAH and its programming, visit
Event Details:
What: AHHAH Restorative Justice Open House
When: July 24, 2025, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High Street West Chester
“This program is about more than just teaching media skills—it’s about showing these kids they are seen, heard, and deeply valued,” said Jan Michener, Executive Director of AHHAH. “We’ve seen kids who arrive defeated and withdrawn leave with confidence and connection. It’s truly life changing.”
