Help WBS alumni start a creative writing club
Tax deductible
Help Joy and Jamesha give back to the school that sparked their interest in writing
Middle school is a time of tremendous exploration and self-discovery. Students are learning to understand themselves and to express that knowledge in powerful new ways. A great mentor can help ignite these processes – offering new perspectives and paths as students search for their own voices.
For the students of Afya Public Charter School in Belair-Edison, you can help Joy and Jamesha make this a reality.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Joy and Jamesha, two amazing young women who were deeply impacted by their own participation in the Writers in Baltimore Schools (WBS) program. Now in college, they want to share this profound experience with middle school students at their alma mater. Their goal is to start a WBS creative writing club at the Afya Public Charter School, and we need to raise $10,000 to make this happen.
With a gift of $50 or more, you will receive a tote bag featuring a quote from a WBS writer, illustrated by award-winning designer and illustrator Lisa Perrin.
We hope Joy and Jamesha’s passion will inspire you to give generously. Here’s how they see it:
Joy: In seventh grade, at Afya Public Charter School, I took a writing class that completely opened my mind to think more creatively. I was introduced to poets and artists that I had never heard before. Most importantly, I had found a voice of my own and took solace in hearing it over and over again. After that year, I did not write consistently until I came to Writers in Baltimore Schools in 11th grade. I began to find my own voice once again. Through WBS, I was able to cultivate my voice by talking to poets, sitting in college classes, and going to poetry festivals. Over the past few years WBS has had a very big role in making me the poet I am today. So, with a stronger voice, I want to go back to the place that first helped me find it. This way I can help students find their own voices and use them.
Jamesha: Being able to create and develop a writing program at my previous alma mater means the world to me! I would be able to develop both a creative and safe space for the brilliant young minds of Baltimore using the same fundamental lessons and tools that I have been equipped with from the multiple programs offered by WBS. With this, I would especially be able to incorporate a reading and writing curriculum that would actively engage our participants in works that explore themes that reflect the power of youth activism, community engagement and most importantly self-representation!
About Joy and Jamesha
Jamesha Caldwell and Joy Njoroge joined WBS as high-schoolers in 2016, as part of the Poetry & Social Justice class with the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars Department. Since then, Joy and Jamesha have represented WBS in Baltimore and beyond, whether as delegates to the inaugural International Congress of Youth Voices or performing at the Split This Rock Poetry Festival, CityLit Festival, Baltimore Book Festival, and numerous reading series across Baltimore. After several years as campers at the Baltimore Young Writers' Summer Studio, last summer they returned to serve as counselors. Both women are now sophomores in college, Joy at Morgan State University and Jamesha at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
About the WBS Writing Club
WBS was ecstatic when Joy and Jamesha approached us with the idea of returning to their middle school to start a WBS writing group. Their goal is to launch an after-school creative writing group for 10 students, which will meet once weekly after-school. We are raising $10,000 to support the first year of the group. Joy and Jamesha will encourage their middle school writers to attend our Baltimore Young Writers’ Summer Studio this summer and to eventually attend our high school program at Johns Hopkins University.
About Writers in Baltimore Schools
Since 2009 WBS has sought to empower the voices of Baltimore City students through in-school, after-school, and summer programming that builds skills in literacy and communication while creating a community of support for young writers. Our programs have impacted the lives of thousands of students – students who are today seeking to use their skills to create a direct positive impact on their community. We couldn’t be prouder.
Check us out online: www.writersinbaltimoreschools.org
Thank you for visiting our #GivingTuesday page. We are so grateful for all your support!
Middle school is a time of tremendous exploration and self-discovery. Students are learning to understand themselves and to express that knowledge in powerful new ways. A great mentor can help ignite these processes – offering new perspectives and paths as students search for their own voices.
For the students of Afya Public Charter School in Belair-Edison, you can help Joy and Jamesha make this a reality.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Joy and Jamesha, two amazing young women who were deeply impacted by their own participation in the Writers in Baltimore Schools (WBS) program. Now in college, they want to share this profound experience with middle school students at their alma mater. Their goal is to start a WBS creative writing club at the Afya Public Charter School, and we need to raise $10,000 to make this happen.
With a gift of $50 or more, you will receive a tote bag featuring a quote from a WBS writer, illustrated by award-winning designer and illustrator Lisa Perrin.
We hope Joy and Jamesha’s passion will inspire you to give generously. Here’s how they see it:
Joy: In seventh grade, at Afya Public Charter School, I took a writing class that completely opened my mind to think more creatively. I was introduced to poets and artists that I had never heard before. Most importantly, I had found a voice of my own and took solace in hearing it over and over again. After that year, I did not write consistently until I came to Writers in Baltimore Schools in 11th grade. I began to find my own voice once again. Through WBS, I was able to cultivate my voice by talking to poets, sitting in college classes, and going to poetry festivals. Over the past few years WBS has had a very big role in making me the poet I am today. So, with a stronger voice, I want to go back to the place that first helped me find it. This way I can help students find their own voices and use them.
Jamesha: Being able to create and develop a writing program at my previous alma mater means the world to me! I would be able to develop both a creative and safe space for the brilliant young minds of Baltimore using the same fundamental lessons and tools that I have been equipped with from the multiple programs offered by WBS. With this, I would especially be able to incorporate a reading and writing curriculum that would actively engage our participants in works that explore themes that reflect the power of youth activism, community engagement and most importantly self-representation!
About Joy and Jamesha
Jamesha Caldwell and Joy Njoroge joined WBS as high-schoolers in 2016, as part of the Poetry & Social Justice class with the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars Department. Since then, Joy and Jamesha have represented WBS in Baltimore and beyond, whether as delegates to the inaugural International Congress of Youth Voices or performing at the Split This Rock Poetry Festival, CityLit Festival, Baltimore Book Festival, and numerous reading series across Baltimore. After several years as campers at the Baltimore Young Writers' Summer Studio, last summer they returned to serve as counselors. Both women are now sophomores in college, Joy at Morgan State University and Jamesha at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
About the WBS Writing Club
WBS was ecstatic when Joy and Jamesha approached us with the idea of returning to their middle school to start a WBS writing group. Their goal is to launch an after-school creative writing group for 10 students, which will meet once weekly after-school. We are raising $10,000 to support the first year of the group. Joy and Jamesha will encourage their middle school writers to attend our Baltimore Young Writers’ Summer Studio this summer and to eventually attend our high school program at Johns Hopkins University.
About Writers in Baltimore Schools
Since 2009 WBS has sought to empower the voices of Baltimore City students through in-school, after-school, and summer programming that builds skills in literacy and communication while creating a community of support for young writers. Our programs have impacted the lives of thousands of students – students who are today seeking to use their skills to create a direct positive impact on their community. We couldn’t be prouder.
Check us out online: www.writersinbaltimoreschools.org
Thank you for visiting our #GivingTuesday page. We are so grateful for all your support!
Organizer
Patrice Hutton
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
Fusion Partnerships, Inc.
Beneficiary