Find Your Voice, 916 Ink’s creative writing workshop series for grades 3-12, aims to empower young people to find their voice and become published authors, celebrated at special Book Release Parties.  

Celebrating 5000+ Young Authors in 250+ Anthologies!

About the Find Your Voice Method

The Find Your Voice Method provides a safe, engaging space for all voices to be expressed. Adapting the Amherst Writers and Artists’ method, 916 Ink provides a supportive feedback structure and allows Inkers to gain a better social and emotional understanding of themselves and their peers. Youth leave our programs with increased self-confidence, improved academic ability, and are inspired to continue writing in their day-to-day lives. Students are exposed to diverse voices and engage with language and storytelling freely and playfully.  

Outcomes 

Our twelve-session school-site based programs include whimsical writing prompts and sample reading to engage 3-12 grade student imaginations, showing them that reading and writing can be fun and enjoyable. These lessons increase self-confidence, academic engagement and interpersonal skills.

They also promote personal empowerment and academic engagement. 

By the end of each school-site based program, each student will have: 

• Received 18 hours of literary arts instruction. 

• Published up to 3-5 pieces of poetry and prose. 

• Feel empowered to tell their story and change their narrative for better outcomes.

87% of Inkers demonstrate improved attitudes toward writing 
70% of Inkers look forward to writing down their ideas 
60% of Inkers believe the stories that they can tell matter to others 
84% of Inkers demonstrate in terms of social and emotional development 
78% of Inkers believe they are good at using their imagination 
77% of Inkers enjoy meeting people who are different than them. 

Students will… 

• Learn to write poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. 

• Learn to give and receive positive feedback and encouragement. 

• Polish, edit, and revise work for publication.  

• Become a published author in a professional 916 Ink anthology 

• Practice public speaking skills in front of friends and family at a book release and reading party. 

Student “I Leave Here With” Testimonial:  

“I leave here with accomplishment being able to have even the little thing published is amazing because you can claim that you are a author. The experience changed me especially doing the program with my friends.” - Gio, Grade 7 

Teacher Testimonial:

“What is so transforming is that students have an opportunity to express themselves, hear others give expression to their thoughts, ideas, fears, passion… This is a powerful way to develop language and cognitive development.”- Dr. Jody Graf, Former Executive Director, Visions in Education