Balloons Behind Bars: How I Brought Beauty to a Broken Place

Most people don’t picture balloon columns when they think of federal prison.

But that’s exactly where I helped start a decor program—inside the walls of a women’s camp.

It started with a job posting on the prison’s internal computer system.

There was a new culinary and events program launching, and they needed someone to help with special projects.

I applied.

On my resume, I listed my background in the event industry—specifically balloon decor.

I even told the supervisor how to find my Instagram page.

She hired me.

And what began as a culinary initiative evolved into something bigger.

She saw potential—not just in the program, but in me.

We began catering trainings at a regional facility located right on our camp’s property.

Eventually, she asked if we could add decor.

That’s when I stepped in.

Balloon columns. Arches. Organics. Floral arrangements. Backdrops. Draping.

We transformed a sterile training space into something that looked like it came straight out of an event planner’s catalog.

And I taught the women how to do it.

We practiced at night in the training building.

We turned old backdrops into magic.

We found rhythm. Creativity. Pride.

I remember one girl looking at me with tears in her eyes saying,

“This is the first time in my life I felt like I know what I want to do.”

That moment stayed with me.

Because even though we were locked up, something in us had opened.

Even behind bars, I bloomed.

I bloomed where I was planted.

And I helped others do the same.

I don’t know if anyone will ever give me credit for starting that part of the program.

But if you ask the women I taught—they’ll vouch for me.

I left my mark there.

And I know, without a doubt, that this was part of my purpose.

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So today—on the 4th of July—while most people are thinking about fireworks and freedom,

I’m thinking about the light we carry inside.

Because sometimes freedom doesn’t look like walking out.

Sometimes it looks like showing up.

Sometimes it looks like sharing what you know.

Giving what you have.

Planting what you can—right where you are.

And even in that place, in a facility designed to strip us of identity,

I found mine again.

Not just as a woman with a release date…

But as a woman with a purpose.

“From locked up to leveling up—this is the Freedom Formula.”

Free at last,

Sharita Moná