Daughters Lives Matter Essay Contest Sponsored by Women Wonder Writers & Street Positive

Riverside, CA ~ An essay contest for daughters ages 14-22 and fathers all ages sponsored by Women Wonder Writers and Street Positive was announced at the 2015/16 Inland Empire Million Father March, which took place September 19 at Fiesta Village Family Fun Park.  This year's theme for the Inland Empire Million Father March, which was attended by over 400 people, was "Daughters Lives Matter: Celebrating Love, Life & Education Success" and the essay contest focuses on the same topic.

Prizes valued at $75, $100 and $200 will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category (fathers and daughters), which will be selected by the Women Wonder Writers selection committee. Fathers wishing to enter the contest should write a 500 word essay describing what they've taught their daughter about her self-worth and expectations on how she deserves to be treated and why. Daughters should write a 500 word essay describing the greatest lesson she has learned from her father (either through positive or negative experiences) and describe her passion and career she will pursue and why.

 

Essays must be submitted typed in size 12 font using Times New Roman, Double-spacing, and ½ inch margins.  Daughter participants should include name, contact phone number, age, school and grade. Father participants should include name and a contact phone number. 

Daughters eligible to enter the contest must be between the ages 14-22 and must reside and/or attend school in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and/or Riverside Counties). Fathers any age must reside in the Inland Empire.  The top 3 entries from both categories (fathers and daughters) will be selected.  Participants are asked to send their essays to Women Wonder Writers: info@womenwonderwriters.com or P.O. Box 1134, Riverside, CA 92502. All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. on October 30.  

  

Essay contest forms and further details can be found at womenwonderwriters.com. The winners will be announced  in the evening at Women Wonder Writers Youth Art Show on Thursday, December 3 at Riverside Art Museum.

 

 

 

 

Freedom Writers Foundation Founder to Address Private and Public Leaders at Awards Luncheon to Benefit At-Risk Youth

RIVERSIDE– Freedom Writers Foundation Founder Erin Gruwell will deliver a message of tolerance, respect and cooperation among youth and communities to local business, law enforcement, nonprofit and education leaders at the Healing Young H’Arts Awards Luncheon, on Wednesday August 12, 2015 in Riverside. The luncheon, sponsored by United States Liability Insurance, TD Auto Finance, Dr. Bergin Family Counseling Services, the Sutton and Bywater Families and catered by Teen Challenge, will benefit Women Wonder Writers‘ (WWW) programs for at-risk youth. According to WWW Executive Director Debra Postil, who is also a countywide truancy prevention prosecutor stated, “the key principles of The Freedom Writers Foundation served as WWW’s early inspiration and framework for working with youth at-risk for truancy, dropping out of school, and delinquency.  We’re thrilled to have her address our community and hope to continue a working partnership.” Erin Gruwell, Author, Philanthropist, Founder of Freedom Writers Foundation Also during the luncheon, according to WWW Events Director Kathy Ediss, “professional artist Lisa Owen-Lynch from Temecula will capture the emotion on a stretched canvas using acrylics; then the finished art, a painting of The Benedict Castle, will be auctioned off at the conclusion of the lunch.” Photo of Lisa Owen-Lynch, a Temecula artist Humanity of Justice High Tea Fundraiser Also during the luncheon, singer and songwriter Geoffrey J will provide attendees with an acoustic performance.  According to WWW Executive Director Debra Postil, “I recall Geoff taking an early interest in WWW by writing a song about our Wonder Jar, which we use as a writing exercise.  At the start of each class, we have students jot down anything distracting them and place it in the jar.  We want them to be able to express the negative but also focus on the present.” Geoffrey Jenkins “Geoffrey J” Los Angeles Based Singer & Songwriter Additionally, at the inaugural annual awards luncheon, Women Wonder Writers will present the HEALING YOUNG H’ARTS Awards to Riverside Police Department Chief Sergio Diaz, Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin and Back to the Grind Coffee House Owner Darren Conkerite.  The HEALING YOUNG H’ARTS Award is designed to recognize leaders in the community dedicated to breaking the cycle of the abuse and victimization and transforming the criminal justice system through mentoring and intervention programs for at-risk youth. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin Riverside Police Department Chief of Police Sergio Diaz Back to the Grind Coffee House, Healing Young H’Arts Award Recipient The HEALING YOUNG H’ARTS Awards Luncheon, marked by a keynote speech by Erin Gruwell, Founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation will take place on Wednesday, August 12 at the Benedict Castle at 5445 Chicago Ave., Riverside, California from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.  The event is open to the media and pubic.  Tickets include lunch, a copy of the WWW Perspectives Youth Anthology, the award presentation and keynote speaker presentation by Erin Gruwell, and may be purchased by clicking HERE. Autographed copies of Erin Gruwell’s and Freedom Writers’ books and instruction manuals will be available for purchase at the event. Sponsors are also being sought for the event.  For information on sponsorships or special accommodations needed by attendees, call Kathy Ediss at (951) 532-3280, email Kathy@WomenWonderWriters.com or visit WomenWonderWriters.com for sponsorship packages.  All proceeds from the Charity Luncheon will benefit Women Wonder Writers’ youth mentoring and intervention programs. WWW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization implementing mentoring, cultural arts, literacy, writing and youth court programs for at-risk youth. Benedict Castle is the jewel of the Inland Empire Headquarters of Teen Challenge Picture featuring Healing H’Arts students participating in WWW’s weekly after school programs. WWW serves over 200 youth annually in weekly after-school arts and writing programs. Picture featuring mentorship meet-and-greet activities designed to match youth and volunteer mentors, hosted at California Baptist University. WWW has trained over 50 volunteer mentors/instructors. LUNCHEON SPONSORS

Back to School

"You only live once, so get an education." #YOLO

It's that time again... We're getting ready to head back to school! As part of a monthlong educational series with the Youth Accountability Team in Jurupa Valley, California emphasizing the importance of education for freedom, equality, and justice, we got busy sticking 2gether. In a team building lesson making post-it note walls using inspirational educational quotes by our faves, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Sonia Sotomayor and Dalai Lama, we surrounded their messages in a sea of sticky notes with our own personal quotes and hashtags to inspire education and equality for all. 

"One day, everyone will get to learn." #1Day 

Stay tuned for our next sticky note adventure!

Let's Stick Together to Honor The Dead

Let's Stick Together wall at Artober Fest, 10/26/13

MORENO VALLEY - Women Wonder Writers (“WWW”) had a successful presence at Moreno Valley Arts Commission’s 6th annual Artober Fest on Saturday, Oct. 26. Through October, WWW collaborated with Hip Hop Congress and Riverside County’s Department of Probation to teach at-risk Moreno Valley youth self-expression through arts and writing during three after-school workshops held at the Moreno Valley Police Department in preparation for Artober Fest.

When the doors opened Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to Artober Fest, the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center became a festive show featuring the work of local artists who displayed photography, painting, sculpture, musical performances, and poetry.

WWW erected its 10-by-10-foot panel filled with its youth artwork featuring “Calavera” skull paintings and a 5-by-10 “sticky note” art wall to further its Let’s Stick 2gether Campaign. Sticky notes were arranged on an indoor wall to make out a skull and spell the words DIA DE LOS MUERTOS.

“We wanted to bring awareness to ‘Day of the Dead,’ a Hispanic cultural holiday celebrated on November 1 and 2, honoring those who have passed away. WWW uses cultural traditions to teach tolerance to our scholars,” said WWW Co-Founding President Debra Postil and author of the newly released legal thriller, The Suburban Seducción.

WWW volunteers asked Artober guests to help fill up the wall with a sea of sticky notes. “Write a message or words honoring someone who has passed away,” directed WWW Head Instructor, Events Committee Member and Research Coordinator Alison Peacock to the Artober attendees. Messages ranging from lessons learned from deceased parents to recalling good times together to regrets of missed times, filled the wall.

At 10:45 a.m., WWW students and Moreno Valley teen artists Jamal Williams and Marissa Sharp took over the main ballroom stage to read their poems. By 2 p.m., UC Riverside Hip Hop Congress (HHC) President Paris Finnie and HHC members Nick Wright, Jessica Salas, Aldin Enriquez, Nicole Marquez and Yun Jae Shin performed hip hop and poetry cyphers with WWW youth on the patio.

Hip Hop Congress is an organization at UC Riverside and around the country dedicated to Hip Hop as a catalyst for social, economic and political change. To learn more about them, contact hiphopcongressucr@gmail.com.

Let's Stick Together for Fatherhood & Education

Million Father March - Seville Park, Fontana, CA

Women Wonder Writers joined Fontana's Million Father March Saturday, September 7 at Seville Park, designing a large graduation cap, adorned with a hot pink tassel, made out of sticky notes. The design furthers WWW's Let's Stick Together™ campaign, which brings awareness to issues affecting our youth in the community through sticky note art.


"We wanted to create something in line with the day's theme and with the help of Street Positive, one of the event's organizers, the graduation cap seemed perfect," said WWW President Debra Postil.

The Million Father March encourages fathers to become involved in their child's K-12 education and graduation. The cap, along with 2014, was posted outside the stage area where Fontana Mayor Acquanetta welcomed the crowd and read the day's proclamation. Attendees helped post notes, writing how the day inspired them and how they would be their child's hero this school year.  One note inspired us to continue Sticking Together stating, "it's inspiring to see a community really ban together and work toward a common goal."

Stay tuned for our next sticky note wall...

"The best investment is one that pays the most dividends, like fatherhood," 

Terry Boykins, CEO Street Positive

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone can give another person; he believed in me," 

Jim Valvano, American college basketball coach & broadcaster

Team HOPE Graduates From The Write of Your Life



Team Hope unveils a butterfly during WWW Graduation June 3rd


RIVERSIDE - On Monday, WWW's Team HOPE celebrated the completion of their ten week program, The Write of Your Life, which was held at Educational Options Center (EOC) in Riverside.  After receiving a completion certificate and WWW's Infinity bracelet, each girl shared with the class how it has helped change the way she feels about herself, and how she deals with life’s hurdles.“I have a better outlook on life now. I know I can do anything and I am not alone,” said one WWW student.  “It felt wrong at first to talk about certain things because people might judge you. Eventually I felt safe here. I learned I could open up and share my problems. I was not the only one,” another student expressed.

The young scholars chose mental health issues, suicide and self-injury prevention for their focus in bringing awareness through their writing and artwork.  The team unveiled a large butterfly arranged out of colorful sticky notes in furtherance of WWW's Let's Stick 2gether Campaign.  "The butterfly signifies hope and renewal and is a reminder of how fragile life can be," said WWW Head Instructor Kathy Ediss.

The girls and their parents celebrated with tea and cupcakes as they spent the rest of the afternoon reminiscing about their favorite class and future plans. 

Tea & Cupcakes served during WWW Graduation

Parents also shared how they saw the changes in their daughters since joining the class. “I see a smile on my daughter’s face now that wasn’t there before. Now it’s there all the time,” revealed one parent.  The WWW Infinity Bracelets, which were gifted to each student, were accompanied with a poem:

THE INFINITE

Wear your infinity bracelet

And dare to wonder. 

The possibilities are endless.

Limits exist only where you set them.

Unlock your future.

Then give the bracelet to someone in need.

Share your hope.

And dare them to wonder.

Team HOPE's program was hosted in collaboration with Women Wonder Writers (WWW), Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) and Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). The program was faciliated by veteran WWW instructor Kathy Ediss, WWW Assistant Instructor Jennifer Ringl and EOC teacher Lynne Sher.  The team will conclude their writing program by visiting The Museum of Tolerance later this month on a field trip sponsored by RUSD.

WWW is a nonprofit volunteer organization, which implements creative writing, arts and mentorship programs for co-ed at-risk youth around Riverside County.  For more information about upcoming events, visit WomenWonderWriters.com.



Team Hope - Educations Options Center

Ride the Wave

Let's Stick 2gether Campaign, "Ride the Wave."

“Live Well” was the message at Thursday’s Mental Health Fair at Fairmount Park in Riverside.  Women Wonder Writers joined the Children’s zone on a beautiful sunny day, exhibiting its Authentic Self Artwork and inviting attendees to participate in their Let’s Get 2gether Sticky Note Art Campaign.  Children and adults were attracted to the sea of blue sticky notes, which were arranged into a big ocean wave.  A poem written by Women Wonder Writers set the tone:

Our minds are like the ocean,

Bringing unexpected weather,

And the calm before the storm.

Together we'll try & navigate

Like captains of the sean,

Surfers riding waves,

And fish avoiding predators.

Understanding our minds

Helps us save our 

sandcastles from the tide,

And prepare us for the storm.

Attendees were asked to write how they believed our minds are like the ocean.   “Our thoughts are like waves because our brain never stops going,” read one note.  “Ride the wave to get peace of mind” and quotes of encouragement filled other notes.  Children drew waves, palm trees and birds.  Other descriptive words, such as “wonderous, magical, beautiful and peaceful,” drew analogies between our minds and the ocean.  Attendees struggling with mental health hurdles were inspired to share their stories and write down words of wisdom. 

By the end of the day, a beautiful wave adorned a 24 by 36 inch board and the message was clear: Many of us struggle with mental health issues.  But understanding our minds will help us ride the waves.  Thank you Riverside County Department of Mental Health for sponsoring a wonderful day and helping us discover the wonder of our minds.

Fairmount Park Mental Health Day