Write For Your Life

My hope is to provide a platform for people to engage in meaningful conversations and self-reflection leading to creative writing.  Also, it allows for us to be empathetic of others.  People will not only be writing, but if they are comfortable, they can share their work with others.  This platform can be in person, as well as, online.  The purpose of this project is to facilitate a conversation around healthy relationships and self-love.  

Many people are dealing with depression and anxiety, as well as, post-traumatic stress disorder.  Using creative writing is proven to support healing, growth in literacy and social-emotional learning.

Sharing stories and experiences, hopes and ideas increases self-esteem and a sense of community. 

Initially marketing and promoting the workshops, as well as, recruiting similar groups, young women/men, adults, children, organizations, families etc, is the goal.  Then situating dates and venues, such as, the Cleveland Public Library, some Art Centers, Community Centers, Churches, parks, schools, etc. Purchases will be made for workshops, such as, journals, materials, snacks, dictionaries, music. An online platform will be created for follow up conversations, sharing of stories and a platform for individuals who feel more comfortable in their own spaces to write, share and upload videos or pictures of their work.  

Having faced my own struggles mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, I know the importance of having an outlet and a place to feel like I belong.  After having an opportunity to facilitate workshops with young girls, seeing the immediate impact of their experiences motivates me to want to continue to be supportive of the healing of others, in addition to my own.  Mental health is something that not everyone talks about, but many need support with.  Research states that using art as a tool for literacy and social-emotional learning enhances the quality of life for those that practice.  Every day we see the sad stories on the news, we hear of our friends and families dealing with heavy issues and we ourselves have our own battles.  Providing this space will increase the productivity of our community and creates a connectivity that is lacking in many areas.