For many years, our Her Words after school program has provided free workshops in the arts, expressive writing, and wellness for underserved teen girls in Morristown. These weekly workshops provide a reliable and safe forum where participants work through a range of concerns by reading, writing, creating artwork, and performing in a culminating event.
We are thrilled to announce that we will be expanding the program to Dover Middle School starting this month. Dover Her Words participants will meet weekly to examine issues facing them, share experiences, and challenge negative influences in their lives through the arts.
These sessions will be facilitated by program administrators each week who will primarily work with the students on creative writing. Additionally, various teaching artists will visit throughout the year to teach the group about other art forms.
During the Morristown program, students have learned about and participated in a wide range of art forms from calligraphy to podcasting to making 3D art using virtual reality. We are excited to bring similar experiences to the Dover students so they can learn, grow, and find new ways to express themselves.
Her Words is an integral part of our mission to build community through the arts. Participants bond with one another through collaborative projects which give them a healthy outlet for self-expression. They come away with improved self-esteem, increased capacity to adopt healthy behaviors, and the ability to positively transform their lives.
Morristown Her Words participants work on calligraphy with Program Administrator, Adia Harris and teaching artist Mary Jean Jones during the summer 2024 program.
Morristown Her Words participants pose with the calligraphy projects they completed during the summer 2024 session.
The program also helps participants build a variety of important skills including English language literacy, critical thinking, communication, problem solving, collaboration, and perseverance.
The Dover Her Words expansion will help us bring these benefits to more students in Morris County. We can’t wait to see what the group accomplishes!
Follow us on social media or check back on our website for updates on the program throughout the year.