I experienced Write Around Portland when a friend challenged me to attend one of their community writing workshops.  Held in the back room of a Hotlips Pizza place and attended by a dozen or so Portland writers, the workshop aimed to inspire us and allow us to learn from each other.  I had a fantastic time.

Write Around Portland, however does more.

Through a unique model of writing workshops, published anthologies and public readings, Write Around Portland helps people transform their lives and our community.

Our traditional workshops are held in partnership with social service agencies. They are offered at no charge to people living with HIV/AIDS, survivors of domestic violence, adults and youth in addiction recovery, low income seniors, people in prison, homeless youth and others who may not have access to writing in community because of income, isolation or other barriers.

Write Around Portland gives people a voice who haven’t had one.  It gives power to the disempowered.

That’s awesome.