Lit Care

Bringing WITS Writers into pediatric hospitals to support patients in writing their stories.

Since 2009, we have placed WITS Writers at Seattle Children's to support pediatric patients experiencing long‑term hospitalization.

In close partnership with the hospital’s education and palliative care teams, Lit Care helps youth discover and develop their creative voices. Working one-on-one and in small groups, WITS Writers guide students to explore their strengths, humor, and unique perspectives.

WITS Writers lead twice weekly sessions on site at Seattle Children’s for the entirety of the academic year. As a vital branch of WITS, Lit Care embodies our commitment to honoring and amplifying the voices of young people when it matters most. Since its founding, Lit Care has served approximately 3,500 youth.

Words of Courage

Since 2011, we’ve partnered with local visual arts leader Partners in Print to create Words of Courage, an annual portfolio of poetry broadsides by Lit Care students.

Once students complete their final drafts, skilled letterpress artists bring their words to life with vibrant color and illustration. The portfolio debuts at a summer opening exhibition at Partners in Print before traveling to multiple Seattle Public Library branches, sharing these powerful voices with the wider community.

You can check out this year’s Words of Courage exhibition, My Heart Up & Up: Like an Elevator to the Moon, in person at:

You can see an archive of previous Words of Courage exhibitions here.

For a small-town kid from eastern Washington who’s spent much of the last 18 months in treatment— and away from home—this was an incredibly special experience for he and I both. It has meant a great deal to our family.Lit Care Parent

Support

Your gift gives hospitalized youth the power to create, imagine, and heal—consider making a tax-deductible donation today.

DONATE