My time writing with Write Around Portland has awakened a renewed burst of creativity for me. —Hasan Chop Hasan Chop participated in our fall 2020 remote workshop at Multnomah County HIV Health Services Center for adults living with HIV/AIDS. Read his poem “Journey of the Mind’s Eye (30 light years)” below. Journey of the Mind’s […]
Featuring work from writers in our 2020 Online & BIPOC workshops Looking back on 2020, we see how all of us have improvised and adapted and the ways we have worked to stay connected with our loved ones and our communities. Write Around Portland’s online writing workshops have been one of these ways, and we […]
Everybody has a story that they want to write, and Write Around Portland gives you the opportunity to do that. That journal helped me bring myself out. —Rebecca Tayvies Rebecca Tayvies first wrote with us in 2015 at Home Forward, Ruth Haefner Plaza for adults living in affordable housing. Her piece below, “Story of a […]
Thank you again to everyone who cozied up to join us for our virtual Raise Your Pen event! Our community came together to celebrate and support 21 years of Respect, Writing and Community. We heard from Write Around Portland writers; wrote together in small groups led by our trained facilitators and felt inspired by the power of writing to […]
Amoya Ray Mankertz, pictured above, participated in our workshop at Home Forward, Humboldt Gardens for adults living in affordable housing. Her piece below, “Rivers,” was published in our Spring 2018 anthology of community writing, A Wonder I Can Hold. Photo credit: Stuart Gaston Rivers Everything flows downstreemCrystal cleanWaters pristineRushing, bubbling, churningGet your seatCatch your opportunityLike a […]
Write Around has helped me understand that my voice is in my pen, my pen is my voice. My page is the megaphone, and this is where I speak. —Shari Staten Shari Staten, pictured above, participated in our workshop at Innovative Housing, Kinnaman Townhomes in Aloha for residents and members of the broader community. Her piece […]
I write because I’m able to dispense any of my anxieties onto paper instead of keeping them buried. When I first dealt with my medical emergency in verse, I was relieved to get that experience on paper. —Norma Kilgore Norma Kilgore, pictured above, participated in our workshops at Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical […]
The experience is unforgettable, I can now write more creatively and longer. The sharing is very energizing and encouraging. —Judith Essien This past fall, Judith Essien, pictured above, participated in our workshop at Multnomah County HIV Health Services Center for people living with HIV. Judith’s poem, “In Spite of Everything,” was published in our 57th […]
Dear Friends, Even as writers, we are struggling to find the words to express what we are feeling right now: rage, despair, fear, ineffectiveness, hopelessness, exhaustion, concern, solidarity, resolve. While these feelings may be overwhelming, the trauma the Black community is experiencing is far greater. Our hearts are heavy with sadness, grief and anger about the recent […]
Write Around Portland helped me open my thoughts and connect with others. —Selena René This past fall, Selena René, pictured above, participated in our workshop at OHSU Richmond Clinic, which serves Southeast Portland residents regardless of their ability to pay, insurance, income or background. Selena René’s poem, “Without a Word,” was published in our 57th […]
