When you meet genuinely good people, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. That’s how I felt after meeting Peggy Egan for the first time while having coffee at Starbucks. Our tables were so close together that I couldn’t help listening as she talked passionately about how she’d improve the community once elected to the gentleman sitting across from her. Elected to what? Curiosity got the best of me, and I needed to know.
When Peggy’s meeting ended, I turned and introduced myself. I told her that I couldn’t help overhearing her conversation, and then I asked if she was running for election. With an incredibly big smile, Peggy looked up at me and told me that she was running for District Court Judge. My next question was, “Why?”
Peggy went on to explain to me how she wants to make the Little Rock District Court a partner in community improvement. When Peggy finished speaking, she asked me about what I do. I told her about my Writing for the Soul Workshop™ program. I had no clue that she’d find us online, and go on to make a donation to help me give away books this summer. I’m eternally grateful to Peggy for her support.
Below, is a photo of local area teens in Little Rock who received a copy of Stories of Hope courtesy of Peggy’s donation. To donate books, simply click on the picture.
Stories of Hope was written by teens through our Writing for the Soul Workshop™ program. Like the caterpillar whose cathartic change becomes the most beautiful of butterflies, Stories of Hope will leave the teens who read it inspired and changed, like their peers that penned the book.
Stories of Hope is simply emotional nutrition and a must have for any teen. That’s why I’m working hard to give away 10,000 books to parents and teens throughout Arkansas this summer. My name is Eric Jones, and I am the creator of Writing for the Soul Workshop™. One thing I’ve learned is that no matter their differences, teenagers go through so much in life. Some more than others.
Take a look at our Trailer:
“Egan, a public school teacher for 16 years, moved to Little Rock in 1999 to attend law school and has practiced in Little Rock since, primarily in Juvenile and criminal divisions of circuit court. She’s worked the last two years as deputy public defender in Pulaski District Court. She recently received the Pulaski County Bar Association Lawyer Citizen Award in recognition of her volunteer work.” –Max Brantley, Arkansas Times
As an extension of our writing program, we’ve created Writing for the Soul Workshop™ Online. It’s free and easy. Our online classes are powered by Storybird.
Storybird allows us to create a safe, positive community for creativity while you access Writing for the Soul Workshop™ online to write your stories. You will find new friends from across the globe, and discover their stories too. It’s a great and safe way for our participants, mentors, family and friends to stay connected.
Use Storybird to write stories or poetry using beautiful artwork as inspiration. You will LOVE Storybird. And as developer of Writing for the Soul Workshop™, we love how it builds literacy, creativity and digital citizenship, all within a safe environment that respects data privacy. Millions of students around the world use Storybird, and it gets a 5-star rating from Common Sense Media.
Storybird starts with images first to inspire your story. Here’s how it works:
Step One: Browse artwork and get inspired. Choose an illustrator, or search for a portfolio of images using keywords. Click on lightning bolt located in the bottom right corner of the picture you choose to begin your story.
Step Two: Choose a format.
Step Three: Tell your story. Drag and drop images onto your picture book as you write. Use the Insert button to illustrate long-form chapters. Refresh word sets and art to create visual poetry
Step Four: Publish, share and print. Publish your work to Storybird’s public library or keep private. Share on your social networks, via email, or embed elsewhere. Order gorgeous printed books and poems as keepsakes and gifts.
Click below to below to register, and we’ll email you an electronic Consent Form. Once it’s completed, then you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access your first assignment. Returning members can simply login. Happy writing!
Teens like Hanah access our writing program at no cost to them because of donors like you. Help us to continue our work by making a one-time contribution. Pain is real. But so is hope.
Writing for the Soul Workshop™ is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non‐profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Writing for the Soul Workshop™ must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” and are tax‐deductible to the extent permitted by law.
While working to help people live full, rich and meaningful lives, one thing I’ve learned is that no matter their differences, they all go through so much in life. Some more than others. That’s why I’m preparing to give away copies of Hope Outside the Walls and Stories of Hope to 10,000 men, women and children throughout the state of Arkansas this summer. My name is Eric, and I am the creator of Writing for the Soul Workshop™.
Stories of Hope and Hope Outside the Walls is emotional nutrition, and a must have for countless Arkansans around the state living in poverty or struggling to recover from a traumatic life event. When I first created this campaign, my target audience were teens living in at-risk communities in the Top Ten Most Dangerous Cities over 200,000 in the US. However, during our Summer programs here at home, the request for books by participants and parents who couldn’t afford them was overwhelming.
To give away 10,000 books, I will need the following in funding:
$37,200 for Books
Total: $37,200 ($3.72 covers the cost of 1 Book)
No one is born “bad.” Hurting people hurt people. Be a part of my Writing for the Soul process by making a donation today.
To help me meet my goal, I’ve created a GoFundMe page. Will you be a part of the Writing for the Soul process? For your donation of any amount, you’ll receive your choice of a free Hope Outside the Walls or Stories of Hope eBook.
Eric is CEO of TGIM Digital Publishing and founder of Writing for the Soul Workshop™. He has successfully completed Texas Department of Criminal Justice Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training, Texas Department of State Health Services Peer Recovery Coach Training and Turning Points Parenting Curriculum by Caring for Kids of The Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center.
Writing for the Soul Workshop™ is not your average writing program. Our focus is not academics, yet students who access our program begin to do better academically. When engaged, the writing program becomes a safe haven for writers to identify what they’re feeling on the inside, and to write about why they feel that way. Misspelled words and all.
After reaching our goal, our first stop will be at the Foote Homes housing projects in Memphis, TN on July 9, 2018.
“What I liked about this is the writing because I love to write poetry and I always wanted to write a book about my life. I get to express my feelings on paper and someone has the curiosity to read how I feel deep within me. I loved everything about it.” – Aujanae
“I liked the workshop because I got to express what I feel on paper and our work is published and other people’s stories may be similar to my story” – MaKayla
“One of the great things about this Writing for the Soul program is that it gives you control over your emotions. You don’t express those things in unhealthy ways. You do it in healthy and productive ways by writing it all out.” -Dr. Stevie Dawn, Emotional Intelligence Expert
Can I make a Tax deductible donation instead of using GoFundMe?
Writing for the Soul Workshop™ is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non‐profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Writing for the Soul Workshop™ must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” and are tax‐deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Click the link to make a secure online donation, or mail checks made out to Fractured Atlas to: TGIM Digital Publishing, 1617 Park Place Ave, Suite 110-TGIM, Fort Worth, TX 76110.
Writing for the Soul Workshop™ is powered TGIM Digital Publishing. TGIM is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ Rating and recipient of the BBB Gold Star Award. Have questions? We’d be happy to answer them, simply use the Contact Form below.
You may know her by the pen name, Victoriana Lady Lisa and her book entitled ‘International Steampunk Fashions‘. Some of you may recognize her from her award winning show All Things Victorian. Students accessing our writing program know her as The Nutty Redhead after she donated a box of her praline gourmet nuts to our program.
Lisa is a supporter of our writing program, and one of 17 survivors of child abuse and child trafficking published in our book, Removing Chains of Child Abuse. The book was made possible through a global community partnership with Ark of Hope for Children.
Ark of Hope for Children has been providing e-mentoring support for survivors of abuse globally for years, but they lacked a creative tool to help them grow creatively. Partnering with Writing For the Soul Workshop™ on this book project provided Ark of Hope with a seasoned organization that is working with traumatized youth to turn pain into creative expression.
Removing Chains of Child Abuse is the result of that cooperative effort culminated in this collection of survivor stories, poetry and art. We are so proud of the survivors like Lisa who wer brave enough to share, and we know you will be as well.
The short stories, art and poetry collected in Removing Chains Child of Abuse are from survivors of human trafficking, child abuse and bullying.
This project was made possible through our Community Partnership with Ark of Hope for Children. Ark of Hope is a human rights umbrella organization using a trauma informed approach to serve survivors through various programs. This includes our Writing for the Soul Workshop™ program.
These powerful stories allowed those who submitted them to experience writing and art as therapy. They give hope to the survivors reading them that they are not alone and they too can recover. This book is packed with resources for those still suffering, as well as signs to look for if someone suspects that a child is being abused. Book includes a journal at the back. Proceeds from book sales benefit Ark of Hope for Children.
Writing for the Soul Workshop™ uses writing as therapy to help those hurting, or who have been hurt -to get what’s on the inside …out. This process allows healing to begin. When we partner with great organizations like Ark of Hope for Children, the program then gives birth to books like Removing Chains of Child Abuse.
Together, we collected heart-rending stories, art and poetry from around the US and Europe that will encourage readers from all walks of life. Removing Chains of Child Abuse is the first book in the Restoring Hope series. The book is simply beautiful and each page is filled with hope, resilience and love for the reader. Just like Lisa’s poem that is featured in the book.