Our students are recent high school graduates living with various disabilities. They are all between the ages of 18 and 21 and have come to WINGS, a transition program, to learn social and job skills so that they can more easily transition into the "real" world.
They work hard doing various jobs in our community, making and selling art, and now writing and creating books!
Their interests vary. Some love to work with animals, some love working with people in the community, and others prefer quiet things like working with books. Our students are dancers, dreamers, poets, artists, musicians, and so much more.
My Project
WINGS recently began a storytelling class where students are given the opportunity to tell their stories from their own perspectives, rather than through the filter of those around them. The reality is that this population is not given the same space to express themselves as the rest of us. They have so much to say, and their perception of the world is just as valid and interesting as ours. They deserve a platform for their voices to be heard. This project will give them that.
One of our goals is to create a publication of our students' work, a real book that they, their families, and people in our community can enjoy.
The students will act as writers, editors, and artists, working together as a team, learning a new job skill, and creating a platform for their voices to be heard.
Every dime we raise will go toward the cost of publication. If we raise the entire amount we are asking, we will be able to publish 200 copies. These will be distributed to the students and their families and will be sold at events to raise money for WINGS. More importantly, these books will go into the community and our students' voices and stories will be heard.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Karie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.