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Through creative writing exercises and by bringing published writers to work in their schools, New Stories Old Stories develops elementary school children’s capacities to tell their stories. With the increase of a diverse student body and immigrant and refugee students in public schools, Stories fosters a greater understanding at an early age through the universal art of storytelling. More importantly, students families are engaged in the education process through the creation of old stories (about the home culture) and new stories (about Minnesota culture). Public events include student readings of their works at the schools and the Loft. Students also receive an anthology of their stories. Contact Jen Dodgson, Coordinator of Youth Programs at 612-215-2595
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The Loft Literary Center’s Basic Needs program serves teen-aged parents in a high school setting. A guest writer is chosen and sent to work with the class for approximately 55 – 110 minutes per week for ten weeks (or, if preferred, 55 – 110 minutes twice per week for five weeks), engaging participants in a variety of creative writing and reading exercises.
The program encourages the young parents to express their everyday experiences through writing. Towards the program’s end, an anthology featuring work by each participant is created, and enough copies are made for everyone to take home. During the most recent sessions of Basic Needs, the first English/Spanish bilingual anthology was created. Another feature of Basic Needs is that it stresses the importance of reading, especially to young children. Funds are given to cover book purchases for program participants. Each is given two books: one for themselves, and one age-appropriate book for their child(ren). Sites in the recent past have included South High, Southwest High, and the Work Opportunity Center. Contact Jen Dodgson, Coordinator of Youth Programs at 612-215-2595
