People & Stories / Gente y Cuentos Receives NEA-Art Works Grant “Reading Literature:Writing Our Stories” Program Extends Joys of Reading & Writing to At-Risk Populations

Trenton, NJ: People & Stories / Gente y Cuentos is pleased to announce they have received a $15,000  NEA-Arts Works grant to bring their “Reading Literature:Writing Our Stories program to three Trenton-based community organizations and a New York City immigrant assistance program. 

Since 1972,  the Trenton area non-profit organization People & Stories has been connecting lives to literature through vibrant reading and discussion programs.  Their program, in English or Spanish, introduces adults and young adults who have had limited opportunities to experience the power of literature.  By reading together in small groups led by a trained coordinator,  participants draw upon their own experiences to discuss complex short stories.  As they examine the poetics, issues, and values the stories explore, people can discover ways to see things differently.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring this unique program to Trenton Youth Corp, The Trenton Rescue Mission and the Bo Robinson Assessment and Training Center,” said Executive Director Pat Andres.  “The ‘Writing Our Stories’ program allows participants to explore their own creativity and give voice to their experiences as well as read and share the experiences of others.” In addition to the three Trenton-based community groups, the reading and writing program will run at the New Americans Welcome Center, in Staten Island, as part People & Stories/ Gente y Cuentos’ outreach to recently-arrived immigrants.

The NEA Art Works grants are given to organizations with programs that are “likely to prove transformative with the potential for meaningful change” according to the organization’s grant guidelines.  Programs must be “distinctive, offering fresh insights and new value for their fields and/or the public through unconventional solutions and have the potential to be shared and/or emulated, or are likely to lead to other advances in the field.”  

For more information please contact: Patricia Andres, Executive Director, People & Stories / Gente y Cuentos, Telephone: 609 393 3230, patandres@peopleandstories.org

To learn more about the organization see our website at www.peopleandstories.org