Hi All,

NY Writers Coalition is still going strong! In addition to offering more than 1,000 free, unique and powerful creative writing workshops each year for the homeless and formerly homeless, at-risk and economically disadvantaged young people, seniors, war veterans, many others, we're expanding our criminal justice program, for the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated.

I'm leading a workshop for women on Rikers Island, the world's largest penal colony, in a jail called Rosie's. Each week after a two hour journey by subway and two buses, through two security clearances, through many gates, down endless bleak corridors, I arrive at a shabby trailer. There we gather, in a circle of chairs, these women who defy stereotypes.  To the hiss of the ventilating system and cry of sea gulls, the inmates put down on paper their deepest yearnings and feelings. Their words pour out. Every week, writing with them, and listening to them read their writing, I am moved.

Your pledge to my Write-A-Thon campaign will help keep this workshop going. Please send in your pledge today, RIGHT NOW, before you forget--and help me go the distance in our 6th annual Write-A-Thon on June 11!

Thanks so much,

Deborah

P.S. Don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too! Thanks again.