Dear Givers and Lovers of the Literary Arts,
The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc., regarding its Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Project (LJW&M), facilitators have been busy conducting the LJW&M workshops for women living in transitional housing. The writing and meaty discussions produced were edgy, heartfelt, and therapeutic due to their shared literary works.
These women are warm and wonderful and working hard to overcome several of life’s challenges—such as substance abuse, complying with court mandates and programs, losing custody of their children, or rebounding from incarceration. Some are also rebuilding their lives as domestic violence survivors. For those reasons, their exact location is protected information. Our facilitators felt privileged to have graduated the special training needed to service this clientele and welcomed in to empower and give voice to these women via the written word. We also came in to do art projects such as vision boards. That was a lot of fun!
The LJWC (its dba is Life Journeys Writers Guild) plans to use its film project, The Prison Plumb Line, A Lyrical Drama, which espouses second chances, positive decision-making, and more as outreach for public awareness and inspiration during its workshops. Participants discuss life skills, incarceration, and positive mental health, creating roadmaps for life plans and possibilities. LJWC also supported men and women in programs mandated by the Family and Drug Courts via its partnership with Families in Recovery, Inc.
Facilitators have been working one-on-one with several writers, helping them reach their publishing goals' finish line. As a result, LJWC has increased its membership. LJWC celebrated its Spring Big Quarterly at a beautiful venue, The Swan Point Yacht and Country Club, courtesy of one of our members. Our Guest Presenter has sold three screenplays to the Lifetime movie platform, and he taught us much! Stay tuned; we’re hoping to engage him once more!
A sincere thank you for all your donations and for the few, several dedicated givers who are making automatic monthly donations. Your generous gifts enabled us to produce such a lovely and fruitful Big Quarterly on April 30, 2023. And please don’t stop giving—we have much planned for the coming months!
Your tax-deductible donations enabled us to provide meals and literary-incentive giveaways during the Big Quarterly. Year-round, your giving also allows us to plan more in-person writing workshops—heavily requested as the world works to get back to normal and outreach to the underserved, underrepresented, and disabled populations that wish to learn about the art of writing and the publishing industry. With your help, we are poised to keep it going! Overall, LJWC looks forward to making socially conscious, beautiful writing and giving voice to the unseen and unheard.
For sixteen years and counting, the LJWC has served as an economic bridge of access for those wanting and needing to engage in the literary arts. Its Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Workshop Project brings the act of writing, i.e., its creative, critical thinking, life skills tools, an appreciation for writing, and fun-filled/therapeutic nurturing qualities, to new and broader audiences. It also financially supports the projects of writers. It is a vehicle to create socially impactful statements of awareness, social, cultural, and gender tolerance, and civility that stir fruitful discourse at the hearing and writing of creative works.
Kindly, I hope you will spread the good word on the wealth of writing, how we’re working hard to make a difference, and that even a modest monthly gift such as $10/$25 (tax-deductible) can fuel our impact on the world. All in all, we are very grateful!
Thank you,
Yvonne J. Medley, LJWC Founder/Executive Director
Links:
Dear Givers and Lovers of the Literary Arts,
The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc., under the Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Project (LJW&M), branched out to film production in the summer of 2022! The film project’s title is The Prison Plumb Line, A Lyrical Drama! The new news is that we have begun to show it to at-risk young men and women—with impactful results. In the two separate groups thus far, riveting, emotional, and, most of all, reflective discussion and writing abounded. With the two groups, we were able to provide meals, distribute literary-incentive giveaways and grow mentoring relationships. The film has gained a distributor—in the hope of making the same impact across the country.
In 2023, we will create events during which our writers can showcase their works. And we will continue to mentor. With your donations, we were able to give books, and audiobooks, conduct writing workshops and have special industry presentations. We are now planning our 2023 line-up. We have earned members from various states in the USA. And we want to expand. We have embarked on a marketing plan.
And with your help, we are poised to keep it going! Overall, LJWC is looking forward to conducting more monthly writing workshops, giving away more literary-incentive gifts (like laptops, books, and school supplies), changing lives (especially the underserved and underrepresented), and making a socially conscious impact moving forward in 2023.
For sixteen years and counting, the LJWC has served as an economic bridge of access for those wanting and needing to engage in the literary arts. Its Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Workshop Project brings the act of writing, i.e., its creative, critical thinking, life skills tools, an appreciation for writing, and fun-filled/therapeutic nurturing qualities to new and broader audiences. It also financially supports the projects of writers. It is a vehicle to create socially impactful statements of awareness, social, cultural, and gender tolerance, and civility that stir fruitful discourse at the hearing and writing of creative works.
The LJWC activates inclusion—especially for those who feel unheard and shut out. The LJWC was deemed the most diverse organization in its local tri-county area. And in every region it touches, it seeks to mentor, inform, and give platforms to poets and fiction/nonfiction writers alike. It aims to widen one’s sensibilities to all types of voices that can be dutifully expressed, through prose and poetry, raising the visibility of artists and art forms. It seeks to encourage engagement in literary arts and the publishing industry, once thought to be unattainable to some. It works to include underserved and underrepresented populations, including the incarcerated and disabled populations (e.g., the visually impaired and the hearing impaired).
Kindly, I hope you will spread the good word on the wealth of writing, how we’re working hard to make a difference, and that even a modest monthly gift such as $10/$25 (tax-deductible) can make all the difference—in our outreach and work!
All in all, we are very grateful!
Thank you,
Yvonne J. Medley, Founder/Executive Director
***The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc. (our DBA is Life Journeys Writers Guild) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization celebrating sixteen years, serving those passionate about the Literary Arts and making a difference in the world around us. The LJWG serves as an economic and empowerment bridge of access to the Literary Arts and its therapeutic benefits through Literary Therapy. www.lifejourneyswritersguild.org 240.427.LJWG (5594)
***DONORS, a copy of Life Journeys Writers Club’s current financial statement is available by writing LJWC, 1282 Smallwood Drive, W., Suite 107, Waldorf, MD 20603 or calling (240) 427-LJWG (5594). Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.
Links:
Dear Givers and Lovers of the Literary Arts,
The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc., under the Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Project (LJW&M), has branched out to film production! The finality of its summer project, a film titled The Prison Plumb Line, A Lyrical Drama and produced by LJWC debuts Friday, September 23, 2022, as a Drive-in Premiere. Next, it will run for at-risk youth, men, and women to encourage them to gain their voice and validation via the written word in all mediums! And with your precious donations and goodwill, we’ll distribute it to high schools, colleges, and film festivals—showing how other groups can produce and put their own spin on the important message. We are expectant and grateful to demonstrate second chances, decision-making, civility, and critical thinking in innovative ways. This effort will take us through 2023. LJWC also gave a platform and stipends to local actors, directors, stagehands, and musicians.
This summer (2022), LJWC also conducted LJW&M workshops and/or mentoring to many who wished to creatively express and/or emotionally heal themselves via the Literary Arts, virtually in Maryland, Texas, New Jersey and North Carolina, and in-person in Maryland and Indiana.
During our Big Quarterlies (January, April, July [thus far]), we brought to our participants informative presentations from a prominent entertainment attorney, a popular musician, vocalist and composer, and a prominent filmmaker, who talked about open doors of opportunities, and ways to put our literary works on film, and a New York Times Bestselling author’s literary journey gave us all hope and knowhow.
And with your help, we are poised to keep it going! Overall, LJWC is looking forward to conducting more monthly writing workshops, giving away more literary-incentive gifts (like laptops, books, and school supplies), changing lives (especially the underserved and underrepresented), and making a socially conscious impact moving forward for the rest of 2022 and 2023.
For fifteen years and counting, the LJWC has served as an economic bridge of access for those wanting and needing to engage in the literary arts. Its Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Workshop Project brings the act of writing, i.e., its creative, critical thinking, life skills tools, an appreciation for writing, and fun-filled/therapeutic nurturing qualities to new and broader audiences. It also financially supports the projects of writers. It is a vehicle to create socially impactful statements of awareness, social, cultural, and gender tolerance, and civility that stir fruitful discourse at the hearing and writing of creative works.
The LJWC activates inclusion—especially for those who feel unheard and shut out. The LJWC was deemed the most diverse organization in its local tri-county area. And in every region, it touches, it seeks to mentor, inform, and give platforms to poets and fiction/nonfiction writers alike. It aims to widen one’s sensibilities to all types of voices that can be dutifully expressed, through prose and poetry, raising the visibility of artists and art forms. It seeks to encourage engagement in literary arts and the publishing industry once thought to be unattainable to some. It works to include underserved and underrepresented populations, including the incarcerated and disabled populations (e.g., the visually impaired and the hearing impaired).
Kindly, I hope you will spread the good word on the wealth of writing, how we’re working hard to make a difference, and that even a modest monthly gift such as $10 (tax-deductible) can make all the difference—in our outreach and work!
All in all, we are very grateful!
Thank you,
Yvonne J. Medley, Founder/Executive Director
***The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc. (our DBA is Life Journeys Writers Guild) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization celebrating fifteen years, serving those passionate about the Literary Arts and making a difference in the world around us. The LJWG serves as an economic and empowerment bridge of access to the Literary Arts and its therapeutic benefits through Literary Therapy. www.lifejourneyswritersguild.org 240.427.LJWG (5594)
***DONORS, a copy of Life Journeys Writers Club’s current financial statement is available by writing LJWC, 1282 Smallwood Drive, W., Suite 107, Waldorf, MD 20603 or calling (240) 427-LJWG (5594). Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.
Links:
Dear Givers and Lovers of the Literary Arts,
LJWC’s last Big Quarterly of 2021, its production of Poetry is Power that graced the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts stage, is still making an impact, now streaming online via https://poetryispower.link/support.
On February 12, LJWC’s first Big Quarterly for 2022, Bestselling/Disney Producer/Poet Kwame Alexander was our guest speaker. It was a virtual event, and attendees from around the country were delighted by all the writing and publishing industry tips and encouragement. We were so inspired that LJWC purchased $1,500 worth of Alexander’s poetry books from two black-owned booksellers (to celebrate Black History Month) and donated them to Title I schools: two middle and two elementary schools. In April 2022, National Poetry Month, its poetry mentors conducted read-alouds to kindergarteners and second graders.
On April 23, LJWC’s Springtime Big Quarterly highlighted the written word via music/collaborative songwriting and showmanship. Our guest presenter was DC’s Queen of the Blues Carly Harvey. She displayed her singing, composing, and teaching chops.
At present, LJWC is at the mid-point of conducting Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Workshops in our nation’s Capital to inner-city, at-risk young adults. We have completed the first three of six fruitful workshops, featuring our Literary Therapy with a licensed clinical therapist on board. We partner with a dutiful nonprofit, ProjectEDEN, to make a difference. ProjectEDEN’s motto is Gardens, Not Guns, and it also teaches teens and young men and women to eat healthily and grow their food (in the midst, life skills abound and LJWC seasons to the mix).
May was designated National Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and National Drug Court Month (Whew). LJWC attended to it all. It conducted a Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Workshop and presented at a Health and Wellness Fair for senior citizens. We conducted our workshops for those dealing with depression. In conjunction with the nonprofit, Families in Recovery, Inc., we celebrated those attached to Maryland’s Charles County Drug Court program, achieving and working to change their lives for the better. Planned workshops for them are in the works. Our endeavors were all in-person, which adds to our virtual platforms.
Overall, LJWC is looking forward to conducting more monthly writing workshops, changing lives, and making an impact moving forward in 2022.
For fifteen years and counting, the LJWC has served as an economic bridge of access for those wanting and needing to engage in the literary arts. Its Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Workshop Project brings the act of writing, i.e., its creative, critical thinking, life skills tools, an appreciation for writing, and its fun-filled/therapeutic nurturing qualities to new and broader audiences. It is a vehicle to create socially impactful statements of awareness, social, cultural, and gender tolerance, and civility that stir fruitful discourse at the hearing and writing of creative works. The LJWC activates inclusion—especially for those who feel unheard and shut out. The LJWC was deemed the most diverse organization in its local tri-county area. And in every region it touches, it seeks to mentor, inform, and give platforms to poets and fiction/nonfiction writers alike. It aims to widen one’s sensibilities to all types of voices that can be dutifully expressed, especially through poetry, raising the visibility of an artist and art form. It seeks to encourage engagement in literary arts and the publishing industry, once thought to be unattainable to some. It works to include underserved and underrepresented populations, including the incarcerated and disabled populations (e.g., the visually impaired and the hearing impaired).
Kindly, I hope you will spread the good word on the wealth of writing, how we’re working hard to make a difference, and that even a modest monthly gift such as $10 (tax-deductible) can make all the difference—in our outreach and work!
All in all, we are very grateful!
Thank you,
Yvonne J. Medley, Founder/Executive Director
***The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc. (our DBA is Life Journeys Writers Guild) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization celebrating fifteen years, serving those passionate about the Literary Arts and making a difference in the world around us. The LJWG serves as an economic and empowerment bridge of access to the Literary Arts and its therapeutic benefits through Literary Therapy. www.lifejourneyswritersguild.org 240.427.LJWG (5594)
***DONORS, a copy of Life Journeys Writers Club’s current financial statement is available by writing LJWC, 1282 Smallwood Drive, W., Suite 107, Waldorf, MD 20603 or calling (240) 427-LJWG (5594). Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.
Links:
Dear Givers and Lovers of the Literary Arts,
Our Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Project is funded, in part, by generous donations to our GlobalGiving Online Crowdfunding Campaigns: 1. beginning with our inaugural Accelerator campaign (June 2020), 2. our GivingTuesday campaigns of December 2020 and November 2021, and 3. the ongoing gifts of generous souls like you—even throughout the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, sadly now heading into 2022! You have empowered us to utilize the precious and effective tool of writing to engage all those who want and need to enhance their voice and validation and join in our monthly virtual workshops to relieve stress, isolation, and more. The funds received kept our presence on social media and maintained our website to continue to build our outreach in multiple communities in various regions throughout the United States. We were able to supplement writers monetarily, hire our Administrative Coordinator, maintain our valued workshop facilitators, who also mentored those who wished to creatively self-express themselves.
The LJWG gave back to its home state, Maryland. In the latter part of 2021, and early 2022, LJWG donated to Maryland Humanities, Life Inc. (an organization that serves the disabled community), The Center for Abused Persons, WETA/PBS, Two Educational Grants given by the American Library Association and Families in Recovery (in-kind). Via our writer’s coaching/editing and financial support, LJWG has gotten two writers to the finish line of authorship. And we are on track to do more.
On October 2, 2021, our last Big Quarterly of the year, we produced Life Journeys Writers Guild Presents Poetry is Power at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in its Family Theater. It was an in-person event, featuring celebrity guest host and vocalist Ms. Candiace Dillard of The Real Housewives of Potomac. Even during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, it played to a nearly sold-out crowd. Our poetry and prose performers spent the year prior working on their literary works by attending our Life Journeys Writing and Mentoring Project. That’s how their talent came into our awareness. Our GlobalGiving donations also helped us provide stipends to participating musicians, dancers, poets, and prose artists/actors and supply whatever it took to make the production happen. We entertained and made solid social commentary to create a better world! Poetry is Power; its unique post-production is streaming now on https://poetryispower.link/support
Our latest news: LJWG’s 15th Annual Season Opener/Big Quarterly takes place Saturday, February 12, 2022. During this virtual event, our guest speaker, coming to us from London, England, is Bestselling Author and Disney Producer Kwame Alexander. In celebration of his valued appearance to inspire and inform other writers, he has partnered with us to donate 200 of his children’s book titles, purchased from Black-owned booksellers, to schools in need throughout Maryland, USA. We can’t wait!
Kindly, I hope you will spread the good word on the wealth of writing, how we’re working hard to make a difference, and that even a modest monthly gift such as $10 (tax-deductible) can make all the difference—in our outreach and work!
All in all, we are very grateful! Thank you,
Yvonne J. Medley, Founder
***The Life Journeys Writers Club, Inc. (our DBA is Life Journeys Writers Guild) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization celebrating fifteen years, serving those passionate about the Literary Arts and making a difference in the world around us. The LJWG serves as an economic and empowerment bridge of access to the Literary Arts and its therapeutic benefits through Literary Therapy. www.lifejourneyswritersguild.org 240.427.LJWG (5594)
*** DONORS, a copy of Life Journeys Writers Club’s current financial statement is available by writing LJWC, 1282 Smallwood Drive, W., Suite 107, Waldorf, MD 20603 or calling (240) 427-LJWG (5594). Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.
Links:
Project Reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
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