Causes: Adult Education, Arts & Culture, Education
Mission: Write around portland changes lives through the power of writing.
Programs: Writing workshops: we held 40 writing workshops in hospitals, schools, prisons, homeless youth shelters, treatment centers, low income housing buildings, senior centers and other health care and social service settings. We offered these 10-week generative writing workshops free of charge to more than 440 adults and young people experiencing financial insecurity or isolation. We held workshops in partnership with 37 different agencies to bring writing to places where people live, study and receive services. We provided journals, pens, snacks, bus tickets and accommodations to remove obstacles to participation. More than 95% of participants reported improvements in writing and listening skills as well as a decrease in isolation. We also held 24 sliding scale and market rate workshops open to the general public, 14 one-time workshops tailored to specific groups and two writing workshops in various workplaces. Workshop participant lisa told us: i appreciated the workshop because it helped me to become more free, creative, and expressive in my writing. It was great to hear others' stories and choice of words -- often inspiring. I was happy to get to know others in my community. It's amazing how many wonderful untold stories there are out there. It's good to hear them.
publications: we published two professionally-designed books of participants' unique and powerful writing. We printed and distributed more than 700 books: "illuminated by the words / iluminados por las palabras" (spring) and know these mountains / conocer estas montaas (fall). These publications were truly community endeavors, with more than 50 volunteers helping to produce each book. Workshop participants each received a free copy of the book in which their writing was published. Books were also made available at local bookstores alongside literary journals and at public libraries, the county jail, a state prison and at schools. We featured writers and their work on our website and through social media, and we also created community broadsides of writing by participants in our prompt workshops. In his introduction to our fall 2017 anthology, matt blair shared: we carry stories from these anthologies into the rest of our lives. Reading them, and sharing them, helps us understood who we are, not just as individuals, but as a society. A few short, true sentences can have more power and impact than a thousand headlines.
community readings: we held 4 large and 9 smaller readings (with 2 additional large readings re-scheduled from 2016 due to inclement weather) with a combined total of more than 660 audience members. Our large community readings were open to the public and were free of charge. These readings brought participants from all of our workshops together and with the general public to share their work. These events promoted respect for diverse voices and provided the opportunity to share the stories of individuals experiencing isolation because of economic, cultural, physical, social or other barriers. The range of stories at each reading was vast. An unmistakable spirit of support, compassion, respect and enthusiasm for the writers and the written word permeated each reading. Our writers and audiences are among the most diverse in portland. Workshop participant ricky told us: i've learned to be more gentle in my voice. I've learned that i have a voice. Before i wouldn't even share, but in this [workshop] i'm comfortable with people. Thanks for write around portland. It gives people like me who have trouble with reading and writing a chance.
Mission: Write around portland changes lives through the power of writing.
Programs: Writing workshops: we held 40 writing workshops in hospitals, schools, prisons, homeless youth shelters, treatment centers, low income housing buildings, senior centers and other health care and social service settings. We offered these 10-week generative writing workshops free of charge to more than 440 adults and young people experiencing financial insecurity or isolation. We held workshops in partnership with 37 different agencies to bring writing to places where people live, study and receive services. We provided journals, pens, snacks, bus tickets and accommodations to remove obstacles to participation. More than 95% of participants reported improvements in writing and listening skills as well as a decrease in isolation. We also held 24 sliding scale and market rate workshops open to the general public, 14 one-time workshops tailored to specific groups and two writing workshops in various workplaces. Workshop participant lisa told us: i appreciated the workshop because it helped me to become more free, creative, and expressive in my writing. It was great to hear others' stories and choice of words -- often inspiring. I was happy to get to know others in my community. It's amazing how many wonderful untold stories there are out there. It's good to hear them.
publications: we published two professionally-designed books of participants' unique and powerful writing. We printed and distributed more than 700 books: "illuminated by the words / iluminados por las palabras" (spring) and know these mountains / conocer estas montaas (fall). These publications were truly community endeavors, with more than 50 volunteers helping to produce each book. Workshop participants each received a free copy of the book in which their writing was published. Books were also made available at local bookstores alongside literary journals and at public libraries, the county jail, a state prison and at schools. We featured writers and their work on our website and through social media, and we also created community broadsides of writing by participants in our prompt workshops. In his introduction to our fall 2017 anthology, matt blair shared: we carry stories from these anthologies into the rest of our lives. Reading them, and sharing them, helps us understood who we are, not just as individuals, but as a society. A few short, true sentences can have more power and impact than a thousand headlines.
community readings: we held 4 large and 9 smaller readings (with 2 additional large readings re-scheduled from 2016 due to inclement weather) with a combined total of more than 660 audience members. Our large community readings were open to the public and were free of charge. These readings brought participants from all of our workshops together and with the general public to share their work. These events promoted respect for diverse voices and provided the opportunity to share the stories of individuals experiencing isolation because of economic, cultural, physical, social or other barriers. The range of stories at each reading was vast. An unmistakable spirit of support, compassion, respect and enthusiasm for the writers and the written word permeated each reading. Our writers and audiences are among the most diverse in portland. Workshop participant ricky told us: i've learned to be more gentle in my voice. I've learned that i have a voice. Before i wouldn't even share, but in this [workshop] i'm comfortable with people. Thanks for write around portland. It gives people like me who have trouble with reading and writing a chance.
133 Sw 2nd Ave Ste 304, Portland, OR 97204
503-796-9224
Arts & Culture
Portland
