WNP Supporting WriteGirl Teen Poets

Proud Collaboration! Poets, this is how we can help. If you are coming to WNP Offsite at AWP25, The East Angel, our Wednesday Night Poetry offsite reading at AWP on March 26th, or you want to support from afar, this is our mission. I am proud to say that we are raising money for the acclaimed nonprofit WriteGirl, to help teen girls and gender expansive poets directly impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. POETS HELPING POETS.

Founded in 2001, WriteGirl is a nationally recognized creative writing and mentoring organization serving more than 500 teens annually, mainly from LA's high-density neighborhoods. WriteGirl envisions a world where all teens live, write, and speak boldly as they become inspiring, transformative leaders, driven to effect positive change in their communities and the world. WriteGirl alums go on to a wide variety of careers, including careers in the creative economy, such as WriteGirl alum, poet and activist Amanda Gorman.

I mentored for WriteGirl during the pandemic, and met so many of these brave young voices over zoom. I can attest to the good work done to bolster their dreams. When the fires burned, my heart went straight to this group, remembering their stories and their bright hearts.

With the fund we raise at WNP, Care Kits will be created and gift cards will be sent directly to a list of LA teen poets who have been impacted.

Many young WriteGirl teen poets lost everything in the fires, dozens more were evacuated. The impact of these devastating fires ripples throughout the Los Angeles region. I wanted to find a way to help. Let's step up and show the teens that poets all over the country care. Come and read a poem on our legendary open mic, and show your support.

Taking place at The East Angel in the Los Angeles Arts District, our open mic will be from 6:30-10:30pm, and have two rounds. Door open at 5:30pm. It is open to anyone to come and share ONE POEM (3 minutes). Preference to read will be given to poets who have participated in WNP's virtual community, but I will try to get to everyone who signs up. This event continues to grow and grow each year, and I know the LA WNP will be incredible. This is the direct dedicated link to donate for our event so we can see how much we raise for the girls in real time.

Confirmed readers include Alix Klingenberg, Nickole Brown, Kimberly Blaeser, Ruben Quesada, Diamond Forde, Subhaga Crystal Bacon, Dustin Brookshire, Sunu Chandy, Halley Cotton, Nicole Callihan, Iris Dunkle, Julia Kolchinsky, Saddiq Dzukodi, Angelina Sáenz, Sarah Sala, Pam Uschuk, Tricia Davis-Muffett, Charlotte Pence, Brian Sonia-Wallace, Traci Brimhall, Chen Chen, Sandy Yannone, Mary Meriam, Jen Cheng and so many more.

Sign up here to get on the list to read. Space is limited.

https://forms.gle/2UqRi5uF3XDE98vg

Come read a poem and stay for COMMUNITY.

Open to the public.

This event is made possible with generous in-kind support from Google for Education.

POETS HELPING POETS.

Let's see how much we can raise up these teen poets TOGETHER. Let's show our LOVE, Wednesday Night Poetry family. Every little bit helps.

Thank you!

- Kai Coggin

Hot Springs Poet Laureate

#WNP #offsite #AWP25 #WriteGirl #wildfires #helpingothers #hotspringspoetlaureate

Note: This fundraising page was approved by WriteGirl. All donations raised through this fundraising page are automatically directed to WriteGirl to help teen girls impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. WriteGirl is a project of Community Partners, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.