SpeakOut!
you did it!
April-May 2018
Take a quick spin with us through what's been happening with SpeakOut! and the Community Literacy Center as the Spring 2018 season of workshops draws to a close.
Writing for Peace A writer's profile Spring readings Breaking the Chains Empower vs Engage Seeking interns/volunteers Calendar
Speak Out for the Right Reasons By Kira Marshall-McKelvey I am a member of Colorado State University Speakout! program, a community that facilitates weekly writing workshops with incarcerated and at-risk youth populations. I have been participating in these workshops at the Larimer County Jail with fellow students since January, and have been amazed, inspired, and in awe of the work that comes out of these workshops. I am delightedly envious of the poetry that seems to slide off the tongues of these writers, and inspired by their bravery in telling difficult, heart-wrenching stories with such grace and poise. While it may sound cliché, the lessons I have learned about rhyme schemes, writing from the heart, and tempo have come from Wednesday nights at the jail. READ MORE at the WRITING FOR PEACE website
SpeakOut! writers do genre fiction! "T.H.M." is a writer in the Men's Group at the Larimer County Jail who has been attending workshops since the beginning of the semester and diligently writing ever since. His writing stands out to me as unique because of his interest in genre and his ability to put himself in other people’s shoes and write from their perspectives. For instance, he is inspired by history, by articles he read about World War II, or by Life & Death’s love story. He has written pieces besides these that I’m fairly certain don’t reflect his own life experiences, yet he embodies the head-spaces of these characters and considers the situations they’re in carefully so that the narration reflects what these characters would actually be thinking.
Zoe highlights...
Note: writers in the Larimer County Jail do not have pencils with erasers, much less in pretty colors. They write with small golf pencils per jail regulations.
For anyone attending jail readings -- I need full names and birth dates by April 30th. (Stragglers accepted but not encouraged -- Jail must clear all attendees).
S P R E A D T H E W O R D!
Breaking the Chains
Spring 2018 SpeakOut! hits shelves soon, but won't stay there for long, as these words are jumping into hands and heads and hearts. Thanks to a passionate and dedicated team of interns, volunteers and Holly -- now in her fourth semester of editing the journal -- this issue features writing and art from all seven SpeakOut! workshops this semester: Remington House Turning Point Women (2 groups) and Men (2 groups) in Larimer County Jail Men in Community Corrections Thanks to all who sagely guided writers through another creative semester! And watch for this stellar issue out soon! Cover art by Patience in the Flesh
How do you think this idea fits into the work we do with writers?
Know someone who would be a great intern or volunteer? Send them our way! Deadline 5/4!
Click GIVE button above to see what page looks like for a donor.
We have a donate button! Here's a quick and easy way to support the writers who benefit from the work of the Community Literacy Center and SpeakOut! Our sites listed on the last page feature a GIVE button where your friends can give from $5 to... whatever they can! Feel free to spread the word via your social channels. We can get composition books for a dollar each, a bunch of pens for the same price. You may be surprised to see how your friends WANT to support the work you do for at-risk youth and women and men who are incarcerated.
Readings -- see page five May 5 -- Field Trip to Museum of Colorado Prisons (if you couldn't make it: stay tuned -- we'll make a report available!) GRADUATION!!! CONGRATULATIONS!
August what's Happening
WE BEGIN AGAIN -- HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND LET'S BE IN TOUCH FOR FALL 2018!
what's Happening S U M M E R
May what's Happening
M
And then there's this...
WHAT A TEAM!
the BACK PAGE
Breaking the Chains Jeny H. Twenty-six years, chained up in my Own personal hell I try and fight, scream and yell No one answers, no one hears. Alone facing my time bound by the chains Can’t find my way home, lost nowhere to Go. Pray someone hears me, takes me by the hand To break the chains I must let go and take a stand A new day from my chain I take the first step I turn and walk away Taking life day by day A newfound freedom A new sense of hope I shed my old plan Reborn, free no longer in chains I am no longer in hell Able to break free and leave every link behind me
Heartfelt funding thanks to: AJL Foundation Bohemian Foundation CSU English Department Our generous individual donors
Department of English Eddy Hall 346A Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523 (970) 491-7251 clc@colostate.edu Director: Tobi Jacobi SpeakOut! wordpress site at: csuclc.wordpress.com SpeakOut! Online (work submitted by program graduates) speakoutclc.wordpress.com Find this newsletter archived at csuclc.wordpress.com/newsletters
