Join forces with to give young people the chance to realize their potential
Imagine a creative writing program so inspiring it sparks a belief in young people that they too can go to college. Or one which encourages kids on the verge of dropping out of school to re-engage. The Young Artists and Writers Project (YAWP) is doing just that – transforming middle and high school students’ lives by teaching them to find their voices through writing and the arts.
Pairing professional writers and artists with students from schools across Long Island and New York City to offer school-based workshops and extra-curricular programs covering play and screenwriting, poetry, personal essay, fiction and the visual arts, YAWP builds language, self-esteem and confidence in all its young participants but particularly those struggling in traditional academic environments. Crucially, all students work culminates with special projects and presentations and/or publication in the YAWP-ezine – a way of inking their creative efforts for all time.
The goals of YAWP include:
• To enhance critical thinking, collaboration and communications skills.
• To help each student find and develop his or her unique voice and point of view.
• To use creative expression as a way to solve problems and promote global awareness.
• To advance 21st century skills while supporting ELA requirements.
• To provide community outreach for Southampton Graduate Arts.
• To develop and support the next generation of writers, readers and artists.
YAWP school-based workshops are offered throughout the school year, and can be custom designed to fit the needs of an individual school. They can “push-in” to Creative Writing, English, Theatre or other academic classes, or they can be an extra-curricular or retreat program. School break workshops are offered on the Stony Brook Southampton and Manhattan campuses in the summer as well as during winter and spring breaks. YAWP programs can be particularly effective for at-risk students, or for those who find writing and communications skills challenging in the traditional academic environment.
How this project makes a difference
This goodcircle project will raise funds to ensure YAWP’s transformative programs can serve more young people through greater exposure and by involving more schools. By joining together with YAWP and [ ‘abc company’], we are inspiring young people to realize their own potential, encouraging them to make good decisions about their future and supporting the next generation of writers, readers and artists.
Our Goal
The total cost for this project is $27,500, which will fund:
20 scholarships to the summer program and the November 5-day retreat
Subsidies to include three additional schools addressing underserved population
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Stonybrook University
Stony Brook University is one of America’s most dynamic public universities, a center of academic excellence and an internationally recognized research institution that is changing the world. After less than 60 years of existence, it’s ranked among the top 100 universities in the nation and the top 40 public universities.
Stony Brook Southampton’s MFA in Creative Writing and Literature and Southampton Arts sponsors:
Young American Writers Project – YAWP
The Young Artists and Writers Project (formerly the Young American Writers Project) is dedicated to mentoring middle and high school students in the development of creative expression and critical thinking through the writing and visual arts. YAWP programs pair professional writers and writing teachers with high school and middle school students in a variety of innovative, inter-disciplinary writing workshops in area schools, as well as on Stony Brook’s Southampton and Manhattan campuses, including: Playwriting, Screenwriting, Poetry, Personal Essay, Fiction and Visual Arts
… all of which conclude with special projects and presentations, as well as potential vodcasts, blogs and/or publication in the YAWP Ezine.
Visit website for more infoWriter’s Speak
The Writers Speak series sponsored by the MFA in Creative Writing and Literature offers free author talks, readings, and engaging interviews with a distinguished guest list of writers, editors and key players in the world of publishing. Offered in Southampton on Wednesdays, all Writers Speak events are open to the public as well as students enrolled in the MFA programs in Creative Writing and Literature and in Theatre and Film.
Learn more here.