Because Everyone Has A Story To Tell

I lost some years.  I miss them. I wish I had them back. - Anonymous

What is the Creative Writing Project?

OCLC volunteers facilitate writing workshops on Tuesday evenings in both Community House (local men’s shelter) and Project Homestart (local women’s shelter). The Inter-faith Council for Social Services runs both shelter facilities. OCLC and Interfaith have enjoyed a lasting partnership.

The workshops encourage the application of literacy skills such as writing, creating and producing. A lead volunteer provides a prompt. Participants are given 10 minutes to write and the opportunity to share what they have written with the group. The exercise is then repeated. A secondary and supporting volunteer participates in the writing workshop and takes on the lead volunteer position the following week with a new secondary volunteer.

These workshops provide friendly environments for individuals to share stories and have their voices, experiences and opinions heard. All volunteers are trained through apprenticeship, by attending and observing at least one workshop. We encourage all volunteers to use adult, learner-centered strategies to engage the various learning styles of our clients.

Want to join us on Tuesday evenings?
Contact Willis Brooks at ewbrooks@email.unc.edu

To read workshop writings, visit our Student Writings page