2024 Back-to-School Campaign
September 1-30, 2024
Throughout September, our goal is to raise $150,000 for SAL’s two Youth Programs—Writers in the Schools (WITS) and the Youth Poetry Fellowship (YPF)— so that young people can become the authors of their own lives and ensure that all students have access to a creative life.
On Saturday, September 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., join us at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center for a celebration and skate party to close out our campaign!
Thank you for supporting our 2024 Back-to-School Campaign!
Since 1994, WITS has supported hundreds of thousands of young people in developing their creative voice, by weaving creative writing residencies into the school day and reaching students who might never consider or be able to attend similar programs outside of school hours.
This year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of WITS and entering our second year of WITS Rewritten—a pilot program that provides WITS at no cost to K-12 public schools that serve students who have the least access to the literary arts. We enter the year with renewed enthusiasm for our work and our commitment to deepening access to the arts for thousands of young people.
An average WITS residency costs at least $20,000, and schools pay modest, sliding scale fees while SAL subsidizes the remaining 80%. This year, through WITS Rewritten, we will eradicate the school fee to participate for 6 schools; SAL will subsidize 100% of the costs. We are hopeful that, over the next few years, we will incrementally expand the program, ultimately eradicating the school fee for all participating school partners. This would eliminate a key barrier to participation for schools, as well as result in greater economic stability for our 20+ local WITS writers.
SAL’s 2024 Back-to-School Campaign relies on community collaboration and support to make these programs possible and expand access to the creative arts! Thank you for contributing to our campaign today, so we can support the writers of tomorrow! Scroll down to learn about all the ways you can participate in this year’s campaign.
How it Works:
During the campaign, WITS Champions will collaborate to raise money for SAL’s Youth Programs and participate in a Skate-a-Thon (optional)! Each WITS Champion (or team of champions) will set a personal fundraising goal, then reach out to friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, book club members, and more to ask for support. WITS Champions can simply collect donations from their community, or commit to skating a number of laps around the rink on the day of our skate party.
Here are several ways you can participate in this year’s fundraiser:
DONATE ANYTIME THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER:
During September, we’ll send stories over email, highlighting different aspects of our Youth Programs from the perspectives of students, WITS writers, classroom teachers, and more!
Ways to Donate
Send a check to 340 15th Ave E, Ste 301, Seattle, WA 98112
Call Stewardship Manager Haines Whitacre at (206) 621-2230 x25
ATTEND OUR IN-PERSON SKATE PARTY ON SEPTEMBER 28:
On Saturday, September 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., join us at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center for a celebration and skate party to close out our campaign! Come skate with fellow literary lovers and hear readings by students and local writers who teach in our Youth Programs!
Tickets will be available at tiered prices between $20 to $100. Kids 18 and under skate free!
DATE & LOCATION
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Southgate Roller Rink
9646 17th Ave SW
BECOME A WITS CHAMPION & RALLY YOUR FRIENDS TO SUPPORT WITS!
To make this campaign successful, we need our community’s help! Sign up to be a WITS Champion and connect friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and more to SAL’s multi-generational programs.
Interested in being a WITS Champion? Email Events & Annual Giving Manager Woogee Bae at wbae@lectures.org to get involved.
With heartfelt thanks to…
Our 2024 WITS Champions
Kathleen Flenniken | Sunny Hong | Vincent Rendoni