By the Numbers
Every student has a voice inside them. It’s our job to bring it into the world.
The ability to share what’s inside is the difference between the shy kid and the charismatic performer, the school hater and the engaged student, the passive bystander and the active citizen.
InsideOut Literary Arts programming can enrich the academic and creative life of every student – from a second grade English Language Learner exploring the nuances of language to the high school student learning to craft stories beyond their next text message.
Whether they have an InsideOut Writer-in-Residence in their classroom or attend our Citywide Poets afterschool sessions, these students look forward to expressing their unique voice, utilizing their imagination and creativity, and feeling confident in their ability to read and write.
Why does learning to write poetry make a difference in a young person’s life?
Because students learn:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- How to improve their writing
- Positive and constructive ways to communicate their authentic feelings
Our program also:
- Builds self-confidence
- Fosters artistic excellence
- Creates community
Student Stories
Jasmine
5 Stories for 25 Years (2000-2005)
“It was through the InsideOut project that I found what makes me tick. I learned to fully explain what I’ve always wanted to say in the form of art….This was what it means to belong. This program is the reason I graduated high school.”
Cassidy
Citywide Poets
As a high school student, Cassidy experienced InsideOut from multiple angles. A member of the 2021 InsideOut Youth Performance Troupe, Cassidy also served two terms on InsideOut’s Youth Advisory Board and was a recipient of the 2022 Citywide Poets Scholarship.
Writers-in-Residence Stories
Suzanne Honda
Writer-in-Residence
Suzanne is a Michigan-born poet, fiction writer, and educator. With her previous focus in childhood education, Suzanne was curious about how lessons would translate to a group of older Detroiters.
Peter Markus
Senior Writer
Peter Markus, Senior Writer: “What I found, in teaching this workshop, is that poetry is something that matters, that helps us make sense, that gives us the permission to say what we might not otherwise say.”
