Write Around Portland

Mission

Write Around Portland changes lives through the power of writing.

Bottom Line for Portland

Write Around Portland is one of the only local organizations to provide free literary programming to underserved youth, adults, and seniors in the Portland area. Since 1999, we’ve held hundreds of free creative writing workshops for adults and youth in hospitals, schools, prisons, shelters, senior centers, low-income housing, and treatment facilities; we’ve organized more than 250 community readings for participants to share their writing with the public; and published nearly 60 anthologies of their work.  

Our work improves mental health, builds community, and amplifies under-heard voices, with powerful results: over the last five years, 96% of workshop participants have shown increases in quality-of-life measures and 98% have reported that their workshop helped them connect with other people.

Quote

"It’s opened a lot of doors for me and I’m happier. It’s like the light that was lit in me had been blown out and now it’s lit again.” --Ricky, Write Around Portland workshop participant

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Write Around Portland is an intersectional organization that believes the arts are enriched by diverse voices and works to build a more open, inclusive literary tradition.  

We have prioritized DEIA since 2017, including a Racial Equity Framework, paid antiracist learning time for staff, and dedicated BIPOC workshops, as well as partnering with culturally specific organizations and publishing our writers’ work widely across print and digital platforms, to expand and diversify the makeup of our city’s literature. 

To achieve equity for participants, we provide all journals, pens, and writing supplies; accommodations for people with physical or mental disabilities; and Spanish-language workshops. On average, 75% of our writers live below the poverty line, 52% have a disability, 45% identify as a person of color, and 30% live with mental illness. 

Incentives

The first 200 people to give $50 or more will receive a free full-grain leather pencil case* from Portland Leather Goods. 

The first 50 people to give $100 or more will receive a free donut from Mikiko Mochi Donuts.

The first 30 people to give $200 or more will receive a free Mini Crossbody Tote* from Portland Leather Goods. 

*local pickup only at Outlet Store

Business Partner(s)

Portland Leather Goods makes stylish, full-grain leather bags and small goods at ridiculously affordable prices. 

Mikiko Mochi Donuts are made from mochiko, a flour made from sticky rice, and are naturally gluten-free and baked instead of fried. Available in a wide variety of flavors ranging from classic to fanciful.