CONNECTION
The SLCC
Community Writing Center
I’ve
recently
begun
watching
the TV
show
Buffy the
Vampire
Slayer. I
feel it’s
a necessary nerd experience I
missed during my adolescence.
It’s well-produced,
imaginative, and well-written.
I’ve noticed, however, that I’ve
been absorbed in a world of
stories irrelevant to the genuine
reality of Salt Lake City. At first
I felt apathetic, then guilty, and
finally I realized that my case
isn’t abnormal.
So often we seem
preoccupied with creating
digital lives. We may surrender
ourselves to TV and movies or
social media, text messages. This
can make it very difficult for us
to recognize and explore the
narratives within ourselves and–
more importantly–the narratives
inside others.
Living a digital life doesn’t
take much energy. Writing, on
the other hand, is an active
process. When I joined the
SLCC Community Writing
Center in April 2011, the sine
WHAT’S
INSIDE
cera: A City Devoid of Sharp Edges
time to celebrate another person’s
reading took place the second
talents before we criticize them (or
weekend I was here. I was fresh
their writing), we give ourselves
blood and that night I sat in the
permission to participate in their
back of the 4th floor conference
writing process as a receptive
room in the Public City Library
non-judgmental audience. Taking
and watched as writers from
the time to sincerely share stories
DiverseCity Writing Series groups with another person can cross the
read their work. The people who social, educational, and economic
read were actively engaging with
boundaries that separate us.
their personal stories,
Words accomplish this
taking the effort to
magnificent feat!
“Living
a
write and share
They provide an
digital life doesn’t take
them. I think
avenue for us to
sometimes we
much energy. Writing, on build interpersonal
forget we are
the other hand, is an active relationships with
all experts on
one another.
ourselves, on
process.”
I could continue
our experiences,
to passively
opinions, memories,
consume Buffy the
and hopes. We all have
Vampire
Slayer. Or, I could
something to say, even if we
make
the
choice
to engage the
don’t feel like we do. Beginning
narratives around me, sitting
to voice our stories can be
down and exploring what I have
frightening, but very often this
to say and listening to another
simple act can benefit ourselves
and our community. Here at the
person’s story from an open and
CWC, we believe that writing
accepting space. To write means
is inherently a collaborative
to engage with yourself and
process–sharing our work is part
with the world. It is an act that
of the process of expanding our
proclaims, “I’m here and what I
writing skills.
have to say is important!” Why not
Once, when I visited the
give ourselves the opportunity to
Literacy Action Center with a
do that?
co-worker, I saw a sign hanging
- Stacy Blaylock
on the office wall: “Recognize and
Writing Assistant &
Celebrate Ability.” If we take the
DiverseCity Writing Series Coordinator
2 Our Writers
3 Write Now
4 Our Community
Spring 2012 Vol. 12 No. 3
5 What’s Happening
6 Workshops
7 Workshops Cont.
SLCC Community Writing Center
210 East 400 South, Suite 8
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
www.slcc.edu/cwc
Our Writers
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
DiverseCity Writing Series (DWS)
Columbus Library Group
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
6:30 – 8:30 pm
CWC Group
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
6:30 – 8 pm
E Group
2nd & 4th Mondays
7 – 8:30 pm
Gay Writes
2nd & 4th Mondays
6:30 – 8 pm
Volunteer - Sylvia Navejar
King’s English Group
2nd & 4th Thursdays
7 – 8:30 pm
What started as a curious glance as she walked
past the CWC has turned into a dedicated, longterm volunteer placement for Silvia Navejar. Silvia
volunteers as a writing coach, working one on
one with writers to collaboratively improve their
writing process. However, getting started wasn’t an
entirely smooth process; “It was a slow start,” Silvia
commented. “I kept missing the volunteer trainings,
but eventually I made it.” Silvia originally planned
on coaching at one of the libraries throughout the
Salt Lake Valley. However, she then learned of the
Hartland center, a unique partnership which brings
together resources from universities, non-profits,
and most importantly, residents of the surrounding
refugee and immigrant community.
The collaborative environment of the Hartland
center and the relationships Sylvia is able to
build with the residents has allowed her to learn
even more skills. Through her partnership, she
has completed additional training through the
English Skills Learning Center, and gained valuable
experience. “The best thing about volunteering
at Hartland is watching different aspects of the
community coming together,” Silvia stated. “I love
working with the people at Hartland.”
When she isn’t volunteering, Silvia spends
much of her time studying and working at Western
Governor’s University. She hopes to complete her
MBA and also earn an MFA sometime in the near
future. Silvia enjoys travelling and dancing. She
knows ballet, jazz and tap, and hopes to visit Brazil
and Argentina in the near future. In the meantime,
the SLCC Community Writing Center is grateful
to have a dedicated and committed volunteer like
Sylvia.
The Literacy Action Center
1st & 3nd Thursdays
5:30 – 7pm
1st & 3rd Fridays
3 – 5:30 pm
Palinca
1st & 3rd Thursdays
6:00 – 7:30 pm
SilverPen
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
12 – 2 pm
Ask about our DWS partner groups:
Avenues Courtyard
Center for Women and Children
Homeless Youth Resource Center
Men’s Detox Center
St. Mark’s Tower
Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City
Off-Site Writing Coaching
Chapman Library
577 South 900 West
Saturday, 12 – 2 pm
Columbus Library
2530 South 500 East
Monday, 6 – 8 pm
Saturday, 12 – 2 pm
Day Riverside Library
1575 West 1000 North
Monday, 6 – 8 pm
Friday, 4 – 6 pm
UNP/Hartland
1617 Secret Garden Place
Wednesday, 5 – 6:30 pm
Friday, 5 – 6 pm
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Write Now
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
GRANT WRITING: Needs Statements—Dos & Don’ts
Grant proposals include many sections. The most important section is the Need Statement. A Need
Statement outlines the need for the project and why your organization is the right one to undertake
the project.
WHAT THE NEEDS STATEMENT DOES:
•
•
•
•
•
Sets the tone for the proposal
Educates the funder
Presents a compelling case for funding
Presents facts and evidence that support the need
Establishes that your nonprofit understands the problem and therefore, can address it
DOS & DON’TS—CHECKLIST
Do
Don’t
Describe the need of those being served by your
organization
Give the reader hope that the need can be addressed
Show that you know if/how the need has been
addressed prior to your proposal
Show how your organization has the capacity to
address the need
Describe the needs of your organization
Overwhelm the reader with the need
Write without knowing how the need has been
addressed before, if it has
Show how your organization will solve the need
once and for all
Finally, it’s helpful to remember, “We are not about the organizations we work for; we are about the
people we serve.”
Take it for Grant(ed):
Introduction to Grant Writing Basics
February 10, 17, 24 and March 2 from 10-11 a.m.
Do you need money for your project or college program but don’t
know where to start? Government and private funding organizations
often have money to give and only require that you make a persuasive
case. Join the SLCC Community Writing Center and the Main City
Library for an interactive workshop on the basics of grant writing
and finding funding. Call 801.957.2192 for more information
or register online. This workshop is for members of nonprofit
organizations.
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Our Community
10th Anniversary
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
Youth Programs
While most hospitals emanate a foreboding feel
upon entrance, Primary Children’s Medical Center
seems to radiate a feel all its own. Instead of endless
white walls and clean tile floors where orderlies
scurry across in their bright colored Crocs, Primary
Children’s halls are decorated with patients’ artwork,
professional constellations and large murals. In the
hospital, visitors feel strangely comfortable (or at
least as comfortable as possible) when they enter. To
October 21st and 22nd were memorable days in
the history of the Community Writing Center; they
marked the date of our tenth anniversary. Festivities
began on Friday afternoon when Matt Livermanne,
a community writer, devoted volunteer, and
endurance walker, concluded a walk from Weber
State University to the CWC in support of the
center and the anniversary event. Friday evening the
CWC played host to the SLCC faculty and cabinet,
Community and Academic Advisory Committees,
community writers, volunteers and CWC alumni
saying thanks with a catered dinner and speeches
from long time CWC supporters.
The celebration continued on Saturday with an all
day open house and Writes Fest, which featured fun
and engaging writing activities including Magnetic
Poetry, Post Secret, Da Da Poetry, Rock Poetry,
Exquisite Corpse, giant fortune tellers with writing
prompts and six word memoirs. It was a chance to
share the vision and message of the CWC and it
brought out the creativity in many passers-by.
With a nod to the classic birthday traditions,
Saturday evening the guests and staff sang happy
birthday to the CWC and blew out candles on a
vegan birthday cake.
The culmination of the two day fete was a
reading by several of our community writers. What
better way to celebrate than to honor the writers
that are the very heart and soul of the CWC? Thank
you to all those who paved the way and those
whose vision inspired ten successful and fulfilling
years. May the future of the CWC continue on
that inspired path and may the path become wider
and well trodden as we look forward to more
anniversaries to come.
ensure this, not only does PCMC brightly decorate
their walls, but they also have an oasis, a place of
play and distraction–The Forever Young Zone.
On October 26th, the CWC started a six part
workshop series at Primary Children’s Medical
Center’s Forever Young Zone. The first workshop
consisted of Rock Poetry, an activity which
encourages children to compose a poem and write it
on a painted rock to then perhaps place somewhere
in their neighborhood or around the city. It was a
great success. Children of all ages were huddled
around the large table in the Forever Young Zone,
picking their favorite color of rock and sifting
through the vast Sharpie box to pick the perfect
complementary color for their text. For the time
at the hospital, the kids could smile, momentarily
distracted from their situation.
The remaining five activities will include DaDa
Poetry, Fractured Fairytales, Multivoice Poems,
Crosstix and Book Reviews for Kids by Kids.
The CWC facilitates these activities on the fourth
Wednesday of each month, offering an engaging and
fun opportunity for patients and their families alike.
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What’s Happening
Freedom Writers
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
Mentors Matter:
Salt Lake Teens Write
This year, the SLCC Community Writing Center
collaborated with KUED, SpyHop, and several local
organizations to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the Freedom Rides of 1961. As a way of paying
tribute to the Riders, the CWC launched a writing
campaign to solicit the thoughts of the community
on the past and current struggle for equality. The
campaign was headed by one major question for our
writers to ponder: we’ve come a long way, but are
we there yet? The civil rights movement has evolved
to recognize more disenfranchised communities,
and our six-month campaign sought to discuss the
relevance of both civil rights struggles, past and
present day.
At the end of our campaign in October, we
received 41 entries from individuals, CWC Writers,
and organizations that encouraged their participants
to write like the Utah Independent Living Center
and Brigham City’s Youth in Custody Program.
Though our writing campaign has ended, we have
redoubled our efforts to honor the work of the
Freedom Riders and Salt Lake communities. All
submissions to the project are on the publication
page of our website, and our Freedom Writers
Anthology is due to be released shortly.
Six of our Freedom Writers: Esther Kim,
Christine Lee, Jade Vo, Samantha Highsmith, Karen
Hansen, and Shauna Brock are featured in our
Community Writes installation. The Community
Writes installation and complimentary publication
celebrate the work of our writers since the SLCC
Community Writing Center’s beginning in 2001. The
installation will be on exhibit at the Sorenson Unity
Center December 8th.
Furthermore, the Sorenson Unity Center has
been kind enough to allow a second event in
January—our Freedom Writers reading—to take
place. We look forward to seeing our writers at these
events to support the SLCC Community Writing
Center, other writers like themselves, and a campaign
that celebrates civil rights and the ongoing journey
to equality.
For more information about the Freedom Writers or
to purchase publications, visit www.slcc.com
SLTW mentor Martha Taylor with
mentee Kaitlan Jones
Salt Lake Teens Write is pleased to announce we’ve
grown in 2011, tripling our numbers of underserved
teens paired with community professionals to
explore writing and enrich lives. Our Fall Kickoff
introduced this year’s mentoring teams at an allgroup luncheon held Saturday, September 17th at
Salt Lake City’s Main Library, a proud sponsor of
the Teens Write program. Each team meets weekly
and both write together. After meeting weekly
since that time, the mentoring pairs reunited for
a workshop on college scholarship essays and
applications on November 12th at the Main Library.
What do our participants have to say about their
experience thus far? “Writing together makes us
both sit down once a week , sharing ideas, getting
to know each other through memoirs, short
fiction, poetry, and editorials,” says mentor Martha
Taylor. Her mentee Kaitlan Jones adds, “The most
surprising thing is that this isn’t like school where
the mentor/teacher is constantly grading you and
assigning things. They’re there to help and listen; it’s
nice. I think it will help me go further with writing.”
For more information about becoming involved
with Salt Lake Teens Write, contact the CWC at 801
975-2192 or visit us online at www.slcc.edu/cwc.
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Workshops
Writing for Change: Community
Writing Event at Main Library
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
Resumes and Cover Letters: Making
the Most of Your First Impression
1-part workshop
January 10 (T), 6-9 p.m.
Does change in democracy require civic dialogue?
If so, where is it and who gets to talk? OR
write? Join the CWC, libraries, and guests to learn
techniques of writing for change, such as letters to
editors and public officials. Come with a concern
or topic for upcoming elections and stay to write a
letter with the help of CWC writing coaches. Cost:
Free, but registration is required. Location: Main
Library, 210 E. 400 S.
2-part workshop
February 18 & 25 (Sa), 1-3 p.m.
Whether this is your first time writing a resume
or you already have one that needs tweaking, this
workshop can help you build an efficient esume that
represents you. To accompany your resume, you’ll
need a cover letter that highlights your strengths
and makes you stand out. Come learn the purpose,
structure and tools to craft a well-organized resume
and cover letter. Cost: $20. Registration is required.
Common Writing Errors: When Spell
Check Alone Cannot Save Us
Utah Freedom Writers at Sorenson
Unity Center
1-part workshop
March 8 (Th), 6-9 p.m.
Ever wonder why so many people struggle TOO get
THEY’RE words WRITE when they RIGHT? Are
there nagging little mistakes your grammar-check
always red-flags? You’re not alone! Learn to identify
common editing blunders and discover how you can
clean up errors in your writing. Cost: $10.
1-part event
January 12 (Th), 6-8 p.m.
In the summer of 1961, more than 400 Americans
got on buses and risked their lives as Freedom
Riders in defense of Americans’ Civil Rights. While
we’ve come a long way, we’re still on the journey.
Come hear Utah Freedom Writers share their
inspiring work during this evening reading and
reception. Cost: Free and open to the public. No
registration required. Location: Sorenson Unity
Center, 1383 S. 900 W., Salt Lake City
Young Adult Writing: Finding Your
Voice in the Twilight
1-part workshop
January 25 (W), 6-9 p.m.
Tired of three-page memos? Buried in mile-long
emails? Time to get brief. Communicate succinctly
without sacrificing content or losing your audience
in this two-part workshop on effective business
writing strategies. Cost: $10. Registration is required.
2-part workshop
March 24 & 31 (Sa), 1-3 p.m.
Do you dream of inspiring your own band of
Twihards? Have you always wanted to try your
hand at young adult literature? This two-part
workshop, hosted by guest writer Christine Seifert,
will introduce you to various genres of young
adult writing, allow you to write in one or more of
these genres, and help you think of ways to share
your writing with a broader audience. Cost: $30.
Registration is required.
Love Letters
Brevity and Clarity: Say It
Succinctly!
1-part workshop
February 7 (T), 6-9 p.m.
It’s February—love is in the air! Come learn how to
woo the one you love through the creation of love
letters. Discover how to fine-tune your words to win
the heart. This workshop will guide you through
the process of crafting and revising the perfect love
letter just in time for Valentine’s Day. Cost: $15.
Registration is required.
Continued on next page
Workshops are at the SLCC CWC (210 E 400 S) unless otherwise noted.
Register by Phone or Online:
(801) 957-2192 or
www.slcc.edu/cwc/workshops.asp
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Workshops Cont.
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
All of our volunteers are
invaluable to our programs.
Thank you so much for all that you do!
A Plethora of Poetry: Celebrating
National Poetry Month
4-part workshop
April 4, 11, 18, and 25 (W), 6-8 p.m.
April is National Poetry Month! Join the CWC
in celebrating poetry in this two-part workshop
series. We’ll explore various genres of poetry,
help you compose poems, and allow you to
revise, edit, and share your work. Cost: $60.
Registration is required.
Ruby Rain
Cyndi Lloyd
Marjie Gilmore
Andrea Garland
Dianne Lockard
Maggie Vogt
Shirley Fifer
Jen Large Seagrave
Rob Oakes
Beven Llewelyn
Peggy Kadir
Mary Garrity
Michael Scott
Peter Miller
Ramona Maaseen
Paulette Cross
Casey Landau
Jay Taylor
Caleb Slabbert
Jordy Slade
KC Hutton
Silvia Navejar-Catten
Jake O’Connor
Nikki Hammer
Dave Goodale
Emily Struzik
sine cera: A DWS Community
Reading
1-part event
April 19 (Th), 7-9 p.m.
4th Floor Conference Room at the Main Library
210 E. 400 S.
Join the SLCC Community Writing Center as we
celebrate the writers of the DiverseCity Writing
Series. Come hear members of your community
share their thoughts, ideas and stories at this
public reading of sine cera—a community
anthology. Cost: Free. No registration required.
Comic Book Creation: Celebrate
National Free
Comic Book Day
3-part workshop
May 5, 12, & 19 (Sa), 1-3 p.m.
May 5th is National Free Comic Book Day! This
interactive workshop will give you a behind-thescenes look at comic book construction and
allow you to make and take home a comic of
your own. Cost: $45. Registration is required.
LIve Green: Write in Celebration of
Annual LIve Green SLC!
Robyn Badon
Courtney Brueckner
Daisy Bennett
Maria Calvi
Tricia Cannon
Emily Donaldson
Emily Johnson
Mary Karanu
Michael Limon
Maria Martinez
Jennifer Moore
Ali Pearl
Jill Maerrit
Martha Taylor
Marianne Webb
William Wilson
Elsie Cobb
JoLyn Brixey
Randy Eggert
John Boles
Doglass Woodall
Austen Diamond
Meg Burke
Chris Chambers
Fran Crookstone
Feel Like Making
A Difference?
1-part event
May 12 (Sa), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
May 12th is the 9th Annual Live Green SLC!
Festival at Library Plaza. Help us celebrate green
living in a writing workshop where we’ll explore
how writing can inspire sustainability, harness
human-powered energy sources, and create a
green living utopia in our own city. In partnership
with LiveGreen SLC! Cost: Free. Registration is
required.
Come to one of our volunteer
trainings and learn how
you can get involved.
Call (801)957-2192
or visit
www.slcc.edu/cwc/help/volunteer.asp
Monthly Volunteer Training Dates:
1st Saturday from 11:00 AM-2:30 PM
3rd Wednesday from 4:30 PM-8:00 PM
Registration required
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SLCC Community Writing Center
210 East 400 South Suite 8
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Spring 2012 Vol. 11 No. 4
Support
the
CWC!
Just go to www.slcc.edu/cwc/help and
follow the links to make an easy donation.
Everyone Can Write!
All donations are tax-deductible
according to current tax laws.
Here’s Why...
There’s a good chance that you’re reading this newsletter because you are interested in writing. Whether
you like to write or are intimidated by it, you are still curious. You read, listen, observe, and you are
interested in the world around you. Written words may have been important in your life from an early age
and still are.
Every year since 2001, the SLCC Community Writing Center has assisted hundreds of writers like you at
all stages in the writing process. We’ve partnered with hundreds of nonprofits and offered rich experiences
through workshops and writing groups. We at the CWC continually strive to keep our programs free
or low-cost. Though the Salt Lake Community College is the major funder of CWC programs, the CWC is
responsible for raising external funds for a portion of its operating and program costs.
If you value writing and the programs we offer, please make a donation. We hope that you will
consider supporting the CWC in this way. You can contribute online at www.slcc.edu/cwc/help or by mailing
a donation to SLCC Community Writing Center, 210 East 400 South, Suite 8 Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Your
contribution will help foster Salt Lake City’s growing community of writers.
The CWC newsletter is online at
www.slcc.edu/cwc/news/newsletters.asp
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