Renewed Hope

Last week, I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker at an Entrepreneurship Panel for members of a business fraternity at Rider University. I was so honored to be invited by a former PWN student and intern. Nathaly and I first met when she was in 7th grade, in 2017, during our weekly expressive writing program at Red Bank Middle School. I was immediately struck by Nathaly’s talent for writing poetry. Her words at the time captured the emotional angst of adolescence but there was also an edge of activism, a desire to change things for the better.

Nathaly also attended our after-school writing program, back when we had a studio space in Red Bank. Dozens of students would come in, slinging backpacks to the floor, opening up notebooks and laptops to capture their imaginations, their fears, their hopes, their dreams. Nathaly would openly share her writing, and it was incredible to see the impact she made—especially on the younger students, many of whom were inspired to share their writing. She spent time giving feedback and encouraging them to dig even deeper, to be more vulnerable with their words.

A few years later, I invited Nathaly to read an original piece on stage as part of the Voices of Hope program, in collaboration with Two River Theater’s Crossing Borders Festival. Her words, in response to one of the staged readings by a Latine playwright, spoke about facing her fears and bravely embracing her identity. 

As a teacher, you may not know the long-term impact you are having on your students until years later when you get a surprise email in your inbox. 

I’ve always held a deep love and appreciation for PWN. Middle school was a challenging time for me, and your kindness—taking the time to check in and showing me how to use poetry to make sense of my emotions—made such a lasting impact.

The Entrepreneurship Panel was set up differently. Instead of all the guest speakers talking to the group together, we each sat at our own table and then groups of students rotated every 10 minutes. After I gave a short explanation about Project Write Now, the students asked questions, and as I answered (and they nodded and smiled), I was reminded of why I started Project Write Now in the first place. I shared how we were celebrating our 11-year anniversary this month. How it all began as an idea in my head but through intuition, hard work, and dedication the organization has grown and thrived.

“What is your advice for starting out?” one student asked.

“Relationships,” I responded. “It’s all about forging and strengthening meaningful relationships with your team, with your students or clients, with your community partners.”

I shared that PWN would not be where it is today without our co-founders, Greg Phelan and Allison Tevald; without our dedicated staff and instructors; without our students of all ages; without our community partners; and without our donors. I emphasized that it truly takes a community to build something authentic and lasting.

Their enthusiasm and eagerness were infectious. Many shared how they used writing to take a breath from the business of their lives. A few lingered to find out how to get involved with PWN. In fact, one of them inspired me to think about adding an Entrepreneurship Internship track next summer as we already give teens opportunities to create programs and events they are passionate about, guiding them through the process.

“What is one of your biggest challenges?” one student asked.

“Believe it or not,” I shared, “even though we’re writers, it’s getting the message across about just how life-changing our programs can be.”

For many people, they have to experience our programs firsthand to understand the magic that happens in spaces where stories are shared. How expressive writing is a tool to regulate emotions so you don’t react impulsively or stay stuck in anxiety and depression. How expressive writing helps you get the jumble of thoughts in your head onto paper so you can make sense of your ideas and make better informed decisions. How expressive writing can help with your physical health, lowering blood pressure and easing stress and anxiety, even when dealing with illness. How expressive writing can connect you with your most authentic self, clearing the noise so you can listen to your true voice, strengthening your intuition so you can live your best life.

I walked away from the Entrepreneurship Panel feeling inspired by these young students who are intent on creating change in whatever business venture they become a part of. I was moved even more when I read Nathaly’s thank you note:

Project Write Now is an incredible organization, and you Jennifer, taught me the importance of poetry, and that is one of my greatest passions. I’ve gone through so much struggle, but poetry has been the only calm in these storms, and I’ll always be grateful for that. 

If you are curious about the long-lasting impact expressive writing can make, please join us for our 11-year anniversary Community Celebration, which will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Two River Theater in Red Bank. 

We will kick off in the lobby with a welcoming reception featuring tables of our community partners and live music and then move to the theater for our award presentations and performances from participants of all ages across our programs.

At a time when we are feeling more divided and isolated from one another, Project Write Now provides an antidote by reminding us all of our shared humanity. Come be in a space where you can feel joy and a renewed sense of hope for what is possible in our world today.