What Do Our Kids Need Right Now?

What do our kids need right now?

It’s a question many educators, parents, and community leaders are grappling with, recognizing the increased pressures so many of our young people are facing. There are debates about cell phones, social media, and jam-packed schedules. There are conversations around how we can help support mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

This spring, we surveyed our 7th and 8th grade AVID students at Red Bank Middle School following our yearlong creative, expressive writing program.

Their answers were clear: creativity, self-expression, and belonging.

We discovered our students aren’t just becoming stronger writers through our program; they are also becoming more connected to themselves and one another.

A Sense of Belonging

When asked whether writing with their group made them feel more connected to their peers, an overwhelming 95.1 percent said yes!

Many described feeling less alone through writing and sharing their stories:

“I feel safe because no one is here to judge you, and you can write freely with your peers supporting each other.”

“I’ve learned that I have people who care for me.”

“I have learned that I am very similar to a lot of my fellow peers.”

Finding Confidence

Students reported being more confident in their writing, their ideas, and their ability to share their voices. Nearly 93 percent of students rated both their increased enjoyment of writing and improvement in writing skills a 7 or higher on a 10-point scale after our program.

Students shared:

“I learned that I can be more open and free with my thoughts and writing.”

“I have been able to talk to more people. I have gotten more confident with myself.”

“I learned not to be ashamed of my words.”

“I have learned to get over my fear of public speaking.”

Writing as a Tool

When asked if they are likely to use writing when working through strong emotions, 85.4 percent said yes!

“I feel happy and relieved after writing down my feelings.”

“I feel relieved, connected, and like I want to write more.”

“I feel relaxed because I use my imagination and feel better.”

Others described improvements in their relationships, academic performance, and overall well-being.

“I have seen my relationships with my peers improve. I feel more confident and I don’t feel judged when sharing my piece.”

“Writing gets me closer to others since we learn a lot about each other through writing.”

“[My] grades have gone up since the last trimester because of PWN.”

“I used to hide my emotions and how I feel without telling anyone, but since I’ve been writing, I feel like I’m talking to someone, but they won’t judge me.”

“I have become more open about myself to others.”

The Joy of Creating

Also encouraging was the enjoyment students expressed about the writing itself. When asked what they had learned, students shared:

“Writing is not boring at all and it’s fun.”

“That my ideas are endless.”

“Writing takes patience and creativity.”

“I learned that poems can change the world.”

These responses speak to something larger than writing instruction. They point to the importance of giving young people opportunities to imagine, create, reflect, and connect.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, these human experiences matter. They help young people discover their voices, build confidence, and find a sense of belonging.

Perhaps this student’s response captures it best: “This program brings joy and happiness wherever it goes!”

We are so grateful to Red Bank Borough Public Schools for welcoming Project Write Now into RBMS and for partnering with us to create these opportunities for students to write, reflect, and share their stories.

Our students have shown us that what they need most are spaces where their voices matter, where creativity is encouraged, and where they know they belong.