WritersCorps just wrapped a very successful 14th season. May and June were filled with events throughout the city celebrating the release of anthologies and chapbooks written by our students. In addition to holding publication release parties at many of the sites we work at, we also packed the house at the WritersCorps Annual Literary Festival, held May 22nd at the San Francisco Public Library Main Branch. Students read poetry and performed one-act plays, then enjoyed some pizza, fruit and cookies.

Next, we made an appearance at AT&T Park. On June 3rd, International Studies Academy student Angela Starks read at home plate in the opening ceremonies of a Giants vs. Mets game, joined by her WritersCorps teacher Beto Palomar. Baseball and poetry — what a winning combination!

And the week after that, on June 10th, the WritersCorps Apprentices put on a dynamite performance of a group poem at Galeria de la Raza. The WritersCorps Apprentice Program gives youth from across the city a chance to form a community of writers who support one another’s development as young artists.

Thanks to everyone saw our students perform, bought our books and heard our words.

From left to right: A student reads at the WritersCorps book party at Downtown High school; Mission High School students perform a one-act play at the WritersCorps Literary Festival; Angela Starks and Beto Palomar are all smiles after performing at a Giants game at AT&T Park, and the WritersCorps Apprentices take a bow at their reading. All photos by Katharine Gin.

WritersCorps brings literary arts into neighborhoods throughout San Francisco. Our program, as a part of the San Francisco Arts Commission, provides weekly writing workshops for youth led by dedicated teaching artists.

Since 1994, our teaching artists have helped over 14,500 young people develop their writing, public speaking and communications skills. We focus on youth whose voices have historically been underrepresented or ignored, providing meaningful opportunities for students to learn and grow. Through our workshops, award-winning publications, performances and media projects, young people improve their literacy and increase their confidence.

At WritersCorps we believe in the power of the written word. We hope you do too.