Support
Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers:
A Working In-Community Retreat for Storytellers
Hope Through Storytelling
Authors who craft books for young people dealing with themes of trauma, mental health, grief, and beyond, do so to give kids a gift—the gift of transformative authenticity, representation, hope, empowerment, and inspiration through difficulties.
These stories can make a big impact on kids, and also on writers—especially when they center themes that mirror the writers’ own lived experiences.
Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers is a program that offers writers a chance to work on their stories in the company of peers, with therapeutic writing techniques that enable them to create empowering and uplifting narratives.
By supporting this in-community working retreat, you help storytellers:
- Learn with and work alongside hosts A.S. King, Padma Venkatraman, Heather Demitrios, and Bethany Walker
- Find support and inspiration as they write through the lens of their lived experiences
- Create books that offer young audiences valuable insights and resilience in the face of adversity
Good thing that stories are safe spaces to explore the toughest stuff in life. A place where we can ask questions, get answers, find our edges. We can put the book down when we need to. We can skip to the end—just to make sure the protagonist will be okay. A story is a container between two covers that cultivates empathy, respect for human dignity, equality, and compassion. (Heather Demitrios)
Thank you to the Rebecca Dykes Writers for providing support for this important program.
To learn more about Rebecca Dykes Writers, please visit: rebeccadykeswriters.org.
Related Programs
Free #HFGather: Crafting and Sharing Books From the Heart
This #HFGather will thoughtfully discuss the weaving of personal stories into fictional narratives for kid and teen audiences.
February 26, 7:30pm. Learn more.
Writing About Mental Health for MG and YA Readers: A Two-Night Mini
Middle grade novelist Crystal Allen and young adult author and pediatric neuropsychologist Katie Keridan help storytellers develop authentic representations of mental health that hold reality and hope throughout a novel.
April 2 + 4, 7:00pm. Learn more.
Goal:
$100,000 in 3 Years for a Fully Funded, Sustainable Program
- 2024 Program Dates: April 11-14
- Available for up to 25 participants
Can We Count On Your Support?
Flagship Program Sponsorship
- Funds One Full Year of the program with Travel Stipends
- Flagship Program Sponsor Recognition by the Highlights Foundation
- Sponsorship of One Episode of the Highlights Foundation Podcast
- Sponsorship of One #HFGATHER Webinar
- Sponsorship of One Downloadable Resource for the Highlights Foundation Community
Support
- Funds One Participant with Travel Stipend
- Sponsor Recognition by the Highlights Foundation
- Additional Participants Available at $1,500 each
- Sponsorship of One Episode of the Highlights Foundation Gather Podcast
- Sponsorship of One #HFGATHER Webinar
- Sponsorship of One Downloadable Resource for the Highlights Foundation Community
Serve
- Funds Three Participants with Travel Stipends
- Sponsor Recognition by the Highlights Foundation
- Additional Participants Available at $1,500 each
- Sponsorship of One Episode of the Highlights Foundation Gather Podcast
- Sponsorship of One #HFGATHER Webinar
- Sponsorship of One Downloadable Resource for the Highlights Foundation Community
Strengthen
- Funds Five Participants with Travel Stipends
- Sponsor Recognition by the Highlights Foundation
- Additional Participants Available at $1,500 each
- Sponsorship of One Episode of the Highlights Foundation Gather Podcast
- Sponsorship of One #HFGATHER Webinar
- Sponsorship of One Downloadable Resource for the Highlights Foundation Community
Sustain
- Funds 15 Participants with Travel Stipends
- Sponsor Recognition by the Highlights Foundation
- Additional Participants Available at $1,500 each
- Sponsorship of One Episode of the Highlights Foundation Gather Podcast
- Sponsorship of One #HFGATHER Webinar
- Sponsorship of One Downloadable Resource for the Highlights Foundation Community
