Note: A program like this was someone's brainchild. Why not make it one for your own community? All it takes is sharing a copy of this with a caring group or organization.  Even as a letter of comment to an editor or a civic group.

Let's face it. This is a different America now. Freedom starts where people stop waiting on government--can't trust 'em anyway (President Bush gave the okay to disrespect our rights: http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/0001/20051216/1101662956.htm&ewp=ewp_news_1205bush_spy&floc=NW_1-T. . . .

and United Way can't do it all.
Even if I was a Republican or a Democrat, I'm still not going to sit around and play that loyalty game. Wrong is wrong. Even Judas Iscariot was a friend of Jesus but couldn't do wrong and get away with it, y'all.

blessin's, c.

Sent by: Poets & Writers Inc.

December 2005 Dear Friend: The teenagers who attend New York's Bellevue High School face enormous challenges. They all struggle with emotional disabilities and many have suffered abuse. Contributions from Friends like you have made it possible for Poets & Writers to support poet and performer Regie Cabico to conduct an after-school poetry workshop for these teens for the past two years. The hours immediately after school can be difficult for young people. It's then that many engage in violence, including self-injury and drug use. Regie's workshop has kept teens safe, taught them new skills, and given them hope.  "This workshop is a unique and powerful experience for some very vulnerable young people," said Alan Pottinger, a staff member at Bellevue. "They have taken to this program with a joy and tenacity that we never thought possible." With your help, Poets & Writers provides fees to writers who give readings or teach workshops, like the one at Bellevue. Many of the events take place at libraries, homeless shelters, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, and community centers, and reach audiences that would not otherwise have access to literary programs. Last year, through our Readings/Workshops program we provided $268,575 to 782 writers from 35 states. The writers participated in 2,074 events reaching more than 100,000 individuals in New York, California, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. While we receive government and foundation support for Readings/Workshops, each year we must raise $75,000 to continue this important program. Please help us bring literature and writing to thousands of individuals. To make a contribution, please visit http://www.pw.org/friends/ Thank you in advance for making a special contribution and for being such a good Friend. Sincerely, Elliot Figman Executive Director