Speak Up writing groups are for everyone. Labels are set aside at the door. Homeless and non-homeless, political diversity, a range of ages and backgrounds come together in shared purpose and pursuit.
In these spaces, people from diverse backgrounds gather to pause, write, and notice. Certain consistent practices and values provide guardrails of focus and safety. Community forms. People share needs and those needs are often met.
Our per-group monthly cost is roughly $500.
We’ve got some great location partnerships, but there are real costs—stuff like weekly coffee and snacks and pens and notebooks. As well as community-related needs, such as helping attendees with transportation costs or emergency benevolence support.
We need your help to cover the next 12 weeks of writing groups: your gift will help resource two existing groups, plus one not yet launched.