How to Start Your Own Poetry Project
We would love to consult with you on how to start your own poetry project. There are a growing number of wonderful projects on the Pongo model -- We call them "duckling" projects. Our consultations and trainings are free. Contact us at info@pongoteenwriting.org .
The writers and mentors pictured above are from Pongo's first duckling project, the "Hearts Out Loud" poetry group at Friends of the Children, a mentoring organization. "Hearts Out Loud" began in 2008. More recent ducklings include the inpatient psychiatric unit at Children's Hospital in Seattle, the drop-in center for homeless youth at New Horizons Ministries in Seattle, the Youth Arts Alliance project in Michigan (youth in detention and in treatment), and the Real Poets Writing Project in Sacramento (homeless youth).
This section of our web site will eventually be populated with information about how to start a poetry project, including topics of how to design your project, how to find allies, how to work with institutions and agencies, how to choose volunteers, how to train volunteers, how to publish poetry, and more.
We have a separate section on how to teach poetry to youth, our section Teaching Resources . We offer trainings in our teaching techniques, and you can also volunteer with us and learn about our teaching and our program.
Finally, read about some of the duckling writing programs that have been started on the Pongo model.
We wish you the best in this important work!