Founded in 2012, Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK) is a nonprofit organization devoted to nurturing intellectual and creative confidence in youth in Kalamazoo County through creative writing workshops, camps, in-school programs, after school programs and community partnerships.
RAWK exists to celebrate and amplify youth voices through the cultivation of reading and writing skills via joy, creativity, equity, and access. We bring a supportive community to young people to give them safe and positive spaces to learn and grow.
Because language is living, fluid and cultural, traditional assessments of achievement often do not accurately reflect true knowledge. We aim to celebrate and amplify authentic voice in the specific context of each youth’s cultural identity, while remaining mindful of the practical and social capital resulting from the use of academic language. We approach all work with youth through a trauma-informed lens and commit to being anti-racist/bias in all we do. We want to eliminate barriers to educational resources so all youth can use their words and tell their own story.

For more information, visit www.readandwritekzoo.org