Recently I had lunch with an old friend who I’ve known since 2012. We first connected three months after Speak Up launched. Back then she was living in a shelter.
At the time, our mission was to publish a magazine written and sold by people facing homelessness. They’d use it to earn money and get off the streets.
Over the next decade, a number of beautiful stories emerged. Many people leveraged the opportunity to get themselves unstuck and headed in a new, positive direction.
But this lady’s journey in particular stood out.
She was so successful—has now been off the streets for more than eight years—because she went beyond money-making and used the opportunity to build community. She figured out that while money comes and goes, true community lasts.
Her story became an inspiration.
What she did naturally is what is now at the heart of the writing groups approach: create spaces that allow people to connect, share social capital, and build friendships across socioeconomic divisions.
It is deceptively simple.
- Get together with strangers every week.
- Write to shared prompts.
- Listen to one another.
This basic approach leads to life-changing and life-saving connections that don’t depend on programs or gatekeepers.
Now Speak Up launches and leads local writing groups that create spaces for community and connection.
And at the same time we are training and equipping others to use this model in their own communities. Because it is too good to keep to ourselves!
Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. We rely on your donations to keep the mission moving forward.
Please consider a donation today.
Thank you!