Everyone can be a writer and benefit from and contribute to their community through the literary arts. Writing is a powerful tool for individual and societal transformation, self-expression, healing and the realization of the dignity of one’s self and others. Writing and sharing stories helps us access our common humanity and connects individuals and groups who are often separated by age, race, income level, gender, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, health status, education level and the geographic and social boundaries of neighborhoods. In any life, especially one lived in poverty or isolation, there is a vital need for art, community and joy. Write Around Portland was founded in 1999 by Liza Halley and Ben Moorad. Since then, we have held 600+ writing workshops for 5,000+ adults and young people, more than 75% of whom live below the federal poverty level. We have published 50+ anthologies, partnered with 200+ community organizations and trained 300+ volunteer workshop facilitators.