We are thrilled to announce that WritersCorps has been invited back to the White House for a day of poetry! After being recognized with a prestigious national award by First Lady Michelle Obama at a White House ceremony last fall, WritersCorps students will be at the White House on May 11 for a day of poetry events hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Those slated to attend and perform include Elizabeth Alexander, Billy Collins, Common, Rita Dove, Kenneth Goldsmith, Alison Knowles, Aimee Mann and Jill Scott. In the afternoon, the first lady will host a writing workshop for students from across the country, including four students from WritersCorps.

The students are: Anna Lei, a 10th grader at Galileo Academy of Science and Technology; Hong Truong, a 10th grader at George Washington High School; Raeme Miccio Gavino, a 12th grader from International Studies Academy; and Yasmin Bhatti, a 12th grader from Mission High School. Read more here.

WritersCorps program manager Melissa Hung and student Nicole Zatarain Rivera receive an award from First Lady Michelle Obama.

WritersCorps, a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission and the San Francisco Public Library, was recognized with a prestigious national award by First Lady Michelle Obama at a White House ceremony on Wednesday, October 20.

The award honors WritersCorps for its effectiveness in developing creativity and fostering academic success by engaging young people in the arts and humanities. In addition to the national recognition bestowed by the prestigious award, WritersCorps will also receive $10,000 to support its programming.

Nicole Zatarain Rivera, a 17-year-old participant in the program, accepted the award on behalf of WritersCorps, accompanied by WritersCorps program manager Melissa Hung. Nicole is a senior at International Studies Academy and has been involved in WritersCorps for three years.

Chosen from a pool of more than 400 nominations and 50 finalists, WritersCorps was one of 15 after-school and out-of-school programs across the country to receive the 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award (formerly, the Coming Up Taller Award), the highest honor such programs can receive in the United States. The awards are administered by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

Click here to read more.

Watch the awards ceremony and the First Lady’s speech here at this link. (WritersCorps is on at the 20:22 mark)

See a news story on the award below.

Poetry should be plucked from an apple tree
Because a poem a day keeps the doctor away
Poetry is where your mind goes
To be fed
– Jane Nwankwo, WritersCorps student, 16

Poetry should be for all young people. That’s what we believe at WritersCorps. We love working with young people to put their stories, experiences, and observations onto paper. Our teaching artists inspire 600 youth each year, helping them develop their writing, public speaking and communication skills.

Evaluation results prove that our program works. Data from 2000 through 2008 shows that 90% of WritersCorps youth demonstrated improvements in writing after participating in our programs. Find out how you can help by making a tax-deductible donation to WritersCorps today.

“‘City of Stairways’ is your treasure map to a San Francisco seen though the eyes of young visionaries who are willing to give you a rare glimpse into what most passers-through pass right by.” — LJ Moore, San Francisco Examiner

“As you take in the poetry, sights, and local treasures this book offers, let yourself be shepherded by one of San Francisco’s most vital resources: its young people.” — Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco

“City of Stairways: A Poet’s Field Guide to San Francisco” offers an intimate look at some of the most memorable sites and neighborhoods in San Francisco. Written by students in WritersCorps, and edited by Milta Ortiz, it is both a travel guide and a literary anthology, giving residents and visitors alike new ways to see to San Francisco.

Buy “City of Stairways”

• Buy the book from our online store.
• Wholesale: Order from Small Press Distribution, spd@spdbooks.org, 800.869.7553 or buy directly from WritersCorps by calling 415-252-2546

Proceeds from the sale of “City of Stairways” go towards free student programming at WritersCorps.

WritersCorps is pleased to present write/walk in collaboration with Mission High School and Mission District businesses and organizations. write/walk is an urban walking tour of young writers and local businesses. Participating businesses are displaying the work of WritersCorps students from Mission High School in their storefronts during the month of may. Pick up a free write/walk guidebook at one of the stores and go on a walk of art and poetry.

An inaugural tour leaves from Mission High School on May 12 and will be followed by a reading at Modern Times Bookstore. Click here to learn more.