What People Are Saying
“I think your writing workshops could help change the world. It’s so utterly therapeutic, validates me, my vision, more—lets me express myself, opens up what I didn’t even know was desperate to come out.”
-14th Street Y workshop participant
“I never thought I could make up stories so quick and for them to sound so good.”
-Blossom Program for Girls workshop participant
“This workshop has inspired me to break away from the fear of writing… It is like a healing medicine for your mind and soul”
-Gilda’s Club workshop participant
“I have felt my confidence grow as a writer and as a person. (The workshop) is a blessing, a boon, a beautiful experience! I truly feel that anyone could benefit from it-any age, sex, level of writer”
-The Aurora workshop participant
“When I first attended the workshop I was very fearful and skeptical but because its premise and reality remained safe I kept overcoming my fears and showing up to what have been very meaningful experiences week after week for me. I first started doing it as therapy homework to end the isolation I’ve always called home and it is working, plus I am experiencing the joys and freedom of writing from a real voice/voices of my choosing— whatever I want structured by a prompt—an inside experience combined with an outside shared experience. I find that thrills me. I read the mission statement and it makes me want to cry with such hope—That everyone has a voice, there’s interest in hearing these voices and support and nurturance for people with voices, to grow their voices louder, clearer, bolder.
I am thankful that you have this mission, carry it out brilliantly and that the mission is being fulfilled in me while I currently work out PTSD issues and heal while on disability. Anyway, thanks so much!!!! for what’s been given me.”
-Judson Hall Residence For Women workshop participant
“For me, this workshop has given me the opportunity to express myself in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Before I became ill I had goals—dreams—ambitions but somehow they got lost. I had to put basic survival first—and my creative self last. This workshop is a beginning for me. I want to start writing on my own. I haven’t done that for quite some time. I was an English major in school but my illness kept me from completing my degree. Mental illness has done much damage to my life and my aspirations. This workshop has given me a renewed sense of hope—maybe not all has been lost.
Our workshop leader treats us with respect—she doesn’t see us as inferior beings. My encounters with social workers and the entire system has been at times challenging and discouraging. When I participate in the workshops I can concentrate on what ‘works’ with my mind. I can leave the system and all that I loathe about it at the door.”
-Ivan Shapiro House workshop participant
