Chapter 3: Extending A Mighty Hand: Outreach and Retention Strategies to Help Our Least Supported Youth

I met Sharlene while assembling furniture a week before Mighty Writers opened its doors in 2009. An eight-year-old with a tight ponytail, sweaty from playing at the park around the corner, she walked right through our front door.

“What is this place?” she demanded.

Behind Sharlene trailed four younger children from the neighborhood: her sister, a cousin, and a couple of other friends. Sharlene was clearly in charge.

“It’s a writing center,” I said, smiling. “We’re going to write poetry and comic books and music lyrics. We open next week!”

Sharlene looked around suspiciously, eyeing the new furniture, stocked shelves and comic book rack.