Yvonne’s farewell

It seems like yesterday that I was sitting in the office watching Zoe write her “last goodbye” and now it is my turn! All this seems way too soon, and I really don’t want to leave!

I still remember the first day of work when I was (surprise!) asked to put a binding into a stack of hole-punched papers—manually. Definitely not something I thought I would be doing on my first job, but most certainly an interesting way to start!

The atmosphere here is always so upbeat and cheerful, and that makes it a joy coming to work every morning. (Except maybe on those days when I—oops—stayed up too late!) I don’t think I will ever forget my time here.

If you asked me to do double-sided copies two months ago, I would have looked at you with a baffled face. Now, if you ask me to do the same thing, I’ll jump at the chance and make you five copies in next to no time. (I really love printing copies….) Not only that, but I’m a complete pro when it comes to opening boxes, writing addresses, making labels, packaging books and envelopes, and writing thank you cards. (Yes, again, the cards!)

When I first came into my job, I was really just one of those “I don’t really care about my community” type of a teenager. But now, after seeing what non-profit organizations do, I feel like I’m finally part of something and I want to give back. I think this is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through these six weeks. I’m so grateful for that.

Thank you so much Keren. And you too, Joanna! And Reparata! Thank you to everyone for everything.

And now, inspired by Zoe, I have two haikus to share as well!

When I am eating
I hold spoons and forks like pencils
I write so much now!

Flourishing of words
Poems are hard to understand
And often too short

–WriteGirl high school intern Yvonne, age 16

Here are some photos from our good-bye lunch with Yvonne at the fabulous Nickel Diner on Main Street!

 

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WRITEGIRL MEETS AND HONORS NOVELIST AND JOURNALIST ISABEL ALLENDE

The Momentum Awards were held May 8, 2009 at the Montage in Beverly Hills. Sponsored by the Women’s Foundation of California, the event honors women of great achievement. And I can only think of one adjective that describes the atmosphere there—fierce. As a guest presenter, representing WriteGirl, I was a little nervous. I was the only high school girl on hand, and I’d be giving an award to Isabel Allende as a “truth-teller, philanthropist, and storyteller.” Her debut novels “House of Spirits” and “Of Love and Shadows” have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold tens of millions of copies. But excitement overcame fear when I was told that I would sit next to Isabel the entire luncheon. I took the chance to ask her what advice she would give to a young writer like myself: “Start with journalism. Journalism will give you the skills you will need to branch out in all types of writing.” Her favorite writing advice? “Write what should not be forgotten.”

– Fahiya, age 17

 

It’s all about the atmosphere

I’m Yvonne, and I’m a high school intern working at WriteGirl, in conjunction with the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

This is definitely a new experience for me––in fact, this is the first time I’ve ever worked before, and wow! I don’t think I could have asked for a better place to hold a job at!

The atmosphere in this tiny (but very cozy and friendly) office is bursting with energy and fun. Everyday seems to bring in new surprises and new experiences that I don’t think I could ever gain anywhere else! And though our staff is incredibly small, I still love everyone I work with because we are so close and familiar with each other.

Even though I have only worked here a few weeks, I’ve already gotten comfortable with the office environment and blended in perfectly (but thankfully not as the wallpaper!). Everyone here is so kind and amiable, I can’t help but to feel as if they are merely an extension of my immediate family, and not just my co-workers or my boss.

It has been incredibly hectic since my first day of work. It seems that all I have been doing for the first two weeks was writing thank-you letters, packing books, finding addresses, and shipping things off! I think everyone working in the postal office has memorized my face (and perhaps gotten a bit upset with me) because of the carts and carts of mail and packages I keep bringing in each day!

We’re very relaxed and “chill” here and I’m very glad for that. Not having to dress up everyday just to come to work is certainly a plus! In fact, I have a dog sitting next to me right now! (How random….)

Oh, what fun I’ve had here at WriteGirl! I wish I don’t ever have to leave here! (Can I ditch high school for this job?)

-Yvonne, age 16

 

Zoe’s Farewell

Howdy Writers!

Zoe Young here, coming to you from WriteGirl where I’ve been interning for the past 2 months. I’m here at the WriteGirl office promoting our upcoming anthology, “Silhouette,” due out in January 2010, and petting Keren’s chocolate lab. I’m gradually laying siege to the tower of galleys to my left, and once they’re all sent out I want to plant a flag in the floor where they were. The responses have been surprisingly good. I never thought I would feel welcomed by Cosmopolitan Magazine, but when you’ve got a great book in hand, it seems like anything is possible.

Today is my last day at the office before I head to Ireland for a year of study abroad. I’d like to end things on a meaningful note. A haiku perhaps?

Here at the office
I’ve never been more happy
To write like a girl

-Zoe Young

 

Easy Ways to Help WriteGirl

Easy Steps to Signing Up with Ralph’s and Using iGive and GoodSearch to Benefit WriteGirl

Signing Up with Ralph’s Community Contribution Program:
Go to http://www.ralphs.com/myralphs/703/Pages/community_contribution.aspx.
Click “Enroll.” You’ll need to register with Ralph’s by providing your email address and a password. If you’ve registered in the past, simply sign in to your account. Next, you’ll need to enter your Ralph’s Rewards number (on the lower left corner of the back of your card). Click “Save Changes” and on the next page, enter your address and phone number. Click “Save Changes.” On the next page, you can search for your organization. Enter WriteGirl. WriteGirl will come up, complete with our address and organization number. It will also say that WriteGirl is a project of Community Partners. Select WriteGirl as your organization by clicking in the circle next to it so that the circle is now green. Save your selection by clicking “Save Changes.” WriteGirl will now receive a portion of your purchases at Ralph’s! You’ll even see some small print at the bottom of your receipt saying as much – it feels good!

Signing Up with iGive:
Go to http://www.igive.com/welcome/ On the left of the page will be two drop down menus asking for your state and cause. You can either choose California and Youth/Children and find WriteGirl (on page 51) or simply type WriteGirl into the keyword search. WriteGirl will come up on the right; click on its name. A description will pop up, and to its right, you can click on “Select this cause!” You’ll then need to fill in some required information (email, name, zip code, password, tax preference) and can fill in optional info if you wish. You can then install the iGive toolbar if you wish and your computer is compatible, since you’ll need to shop through iGive’s portal for donations to follow. Otherwise, simply start off at the iGive Mall and choose your store from there. If you make a purchase within 45 days, an extra $5 will go to WriteGirl. Over 700 stores participate with iGive, including Amazon.com, 1-800-PETMEDS, Barnes & Noble, the Gap, Apple, eLuxury, Drugstore.com, Enterprise Rental Car, FAO Schwartz, J. Jill, Kiehl’s, Kmart, L.L. Bean, Overstock.com, REI, Saks, Sur la Table, Victoria’s Secret, Williams Sonoma, … etc., etc. (donations vary per store, but some give as much as 6% of your purchase back to WriteGirl).

You can also start searching through iSearchiGive, a Yahoo!-powered search engine, which will donate a penny or more every time you search.

Using GoodSearch:
Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and where it asks you to “Choose your cause,” type in WriteGirl. WriteGirl, Los Angeles, CA will come up, and you’ll just complete your search, with a donation going to WriteGirl. Consider installing the GoodSearch toolbar or making it your homepage so you’ll search on it more often and thus raise more money for WriteGirl.

Thank you for donating to WriteGirl in all these ways and for passing along these instructions to your friends & family!

 

PlayWriteGirl – May 3rd – One Night Only

WriteGirl is partnering with the acclaimed Pasadena Playhouse for PlayWriteGirl, which will be held May 3 at the Pasadena Playhouse.
From 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., more than 65 teen girls from Pasadena and beyond, along with their mentors, will participate in the workshop part of PlayWriteGirl. They will learn about monologue and scene-writing in sessions led by guest writers, including screenwriter Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees), producer Jennifer Crittenden (The New Adventures of Old Christine, Seinfeld), Martha Williamson and Jule Selbo (Touched by an Angel) and playwrights Laural Meade and Jennie Webb.
The pieces the girls write during the day will be performed on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse during a benefit event that evening at 6pm. The proceeds will go toward bringing the WriteGirl program to Pasadena for the 2009-2010 season.
Keren Taylor, WriteGirl’s executive director, said, “Seeing the actors perform the words that the girls wrote just that day is an amazing, can’t-miss experience. This year, we are incredibly grateful to have such talented writers and actors taking part in PlayWriteGirl.”
The evening event kicks off with a short reception and silent auction on the plaza at 4:30 p.m., followed by a performance of WriteGirl works presented by celebrated actors (6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.).
The actors include Melora Hardin and Kate Flannery (The Office), Erin O’Brien, Sprague Grayden (24), Ellyn Stern, Dana Delany and James Denton (Desperate Housewives), JoBeth Williams (Dexter), Annie Potts (Designing Women, Boston Legal), and many more.
There also will be a post-cocktail reception at which guests can mingle with the actors, with catering by Nancy Silverton, Border Grill and Ciudad Catering and Silverlake Wine, among many others.
Tickets are available online at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling (626) 737 – 2867. Ticket prices are $20 for the performance ($10 for students); $50 for the pre-reception, silent auction and performance; and $100 for the pre- and post-reception and the performance.
“I am tremendously happy that the Playhouse is hosting this collaboration with WriteGirl, especially as part of our year long celebration of WOMEN: The Heart and Soul of Theatre on our stage,” said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. ”When I heard about their work, I was immediately attracted to the valuable creative opportunities that this organization offers and I wanted the Playhouse to find a connection with this program as part of this special season. I look forward to having the energy and creativity of these young women filling our theatre in early May.”

 

Mentee Welcome Day 2008

WriteGirls are inspired by a writing experiment at the Welcome Day.

October 28, 2008, Expo Center.  The mentee welcome day was a great chance for old friends to reconnect and for the new members to become integrated into the WriteGirl community. Everyone had a chance to pick out an awesome journal, a trusty side kick for all writing endeavors. Along with meeting and greeting, we participated in some great activities. We had the chance to discuss locations by putting our houses on a map which became the jumping off point for some creative writing. We were also inspired from old photographs and decorating journals with stamps, tissue paper, magazine cutouts and other materials. Everyone who came had a great time. What a wonderful way to kick off the new season.

– Janelle F., age 17

 

Women’s Conference 2008

October 21-22, 2008.  Long Beach California.

Living, laughing, loving, crying are the four words that describe the 2008 Women’s Conference.  Organized by California First Lady Maria Shriver, it’s the only place I can think of where you’ll find Condoleezza Rice, Bono, Gloria Steinem, Warren Buffet and Jennifer Lopez can all be seen in the same room. The conference covered topics starting from strength and courage to business and entrepreneurship. They succeeded in covering every topic in between. Whether it was advice or a personal story, I can guarantee that everyone in the audience learned something. The Women’s Conference was spiritual, environmental; it offered information about parenting, finance and activism. Although it was a little lengthy and there wasn’t any place to rest our legs (especially in the seats we were given), the important thing is that it was informational and enjoyable.

– Fahiya  R., 17

 

WriteGirls Celebrate the End of the Season

The lights dim as the show begins.

On June 29th, 2008, WriteGirls and their mentors, the WriteWomen, celebrated the end of the season at the Writers Guild of America Theater in Beverly Hills. WriteGirls read their pieces from the new anthology and gave writing tips to an audience of mentors, volunteers, parents, and even some actors from a screenwriting workshop, including Sprague Grayden from the TV show Jericho.

This was the first opportunity for the girls to see the anthology, Listen to Me: Shared Secrets from WriteGirl. Everyone flipped through their copies. They looked to see which of their submissions ended up being published and read pieces written by their friends and mentors.

The performance ran smoothly. The onstage choreography coordinated by Keren Taylor did not fail the girls, and pieces were read lucidly and passionately. Parents were blown away by the sophisticated writing that they might not have known their daughters wrote, while mentors enjoyed watching their mentees present the pieces that they helped them to write.

After the performance, the girls grabbed their goodie bags filled with books, notepads, and toiletries donated by WriteGirl sponsors and headed out to the lobby to mingle with the audience. Delicious snacks were served and parents bid on items in the silent auction.

As the gathering neared an end, people started taking pictures together and saying goodbye. This was the saddest part of the event, for the girls would not see each other until the next season, and many girls were off to college in other cities in the fall. This also meant that some mentor-mentee pairs would be split up.

Overall the performance was a great experience for WriteGirls to show off their writing skills to the world and an excellent end to the season. Listen to Me is a fabulous book filled with beautiful writing that covers all genres and appeals to all interests. It is an essential addition to any bookshelf, so I suggest you buy it! It is available on Writegirl.org and Amazon.com.

–Evelyn H., age 17