A Fundraising Campaign for WriterCoach Connection of Albany

When listened to and heard, youth not only trust in others - they learn to trust themselves. And when they trust themselves, they are more readily able to bring their gifts and their voices forward – like new wings into the world.

WriterCoach Connection helps develop the writing and critical thinking skills of students in public schools by recruiting and training community volunteers to work with the students, one-on-one, in English class on their writing assignments.

The recent budget crisis and cuts have left WriterCoach Connection with very little funding in Albany. The program continues on a limited basis, but is not sustainable without increased financial support. Our goal is to raise money to help fund the program, as well as raise awareness of the coaching program.

In order to ensure the continuation of the coaching program in Albany schools, we have launched a campaign, entitled “Hear Me Out!” This effort is being sponsored by the WriterCoach Connection (WCC), the East Bay Nation of Men, and other community members. The campaign is primarily comprised of two interlocking components – a poetry workshop involving youth followed by a poetry reading.

Albany Middle Schoolers with a passion for poetry, and the desire to experience the one-on-one coaching that the WCC is noted for, will spend seven weeks with local poets reading, writing, revising and reciting poetry.

At the end of this intensive workshop the written poems will be compiled in an anthology, which will be unveiled at a poetry reading, the finale of Hear Me Out!

“The spirit wants only that there be flying.”
                                  — Rainer Maria Rilke

The poetry reading is far more than the finale of Hear Me Out! It is the manifestation of what’s possible when youth are heard. In reading their poetry publicly, these young writers will simultaneously celebrate themselves as poets and champion the good works of WriterCoach Connection, a program that inspires trust, self-discovery, and the pursuit of the creative spirit.

In addition to the poetry read, coaches, teachers, and parents, will share heart-felt stories of how the WCC has changed lives and enriched the spirit of our community.

Admission to this celebratory fundraising event will be free.
Guests will be respectfully invited to make a donation to support our work. Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP – Space is Limited!
Child care provided – details to be announced.
For more information, contact the Hear Me Out! Event Manager.