The workshop has given them a sense of community with other young people, provided support as they continued or returned to school, and provided the life perspective that has kept them focused and out of trouble with law enforcement, drugs, and violence. Along the way, they have also developed strong, honest writing voices. Voices from the 'Hood is drawn from the title of a manual on how to start and sustain a writing workshop for youth at risk, published by Amherst Writers and Artists Press . AWAI workshops create a safe, supportive environment where participants use writing to express themselves and achieve power in doing so. The vulnerable new writing produced in workshop is honored, valued and protected.
Emphasis is placed on detail, emotion, what is strong and honest, rather than grammar and mechanics.
Those aspects of writing are dealt with later and separately when writers are ready to submit manuscripts. Other participants respond by saying what they liked, what stays with them.