The children of Writers' Blocks, an after school writing program for children residing in Southlawn Commons and Sherwood housing communities, unveiled a new collection of their writings: "The Young Writers of the Molina Learning Center: Volume Five.” Mayor Todd Strange was present as the students read from their work and signed copies of the book, which was dedicated to Mayor Strange.
Writers' Blocks was founded in 1997 by Nancy Anderson, an English professor at Auburn University at Montgomery and director of Actions Build Community. She and volunteers, including members of the AUM women's basketball team, run a writers’ workshop at Southlawn Commons and Sherwood throughout the academic year. In the free after school enrichment program, children ages 6-12 gather at the Molina Learning Center in Southlawn Commons twice a week to work on poetry and prose.
During summer, they edit and organize their work into a printed anthology. In June 2010, the children were surprised with a personal letter from President Obama who had received a copy of the 2009 collection of their writings, "The Young Writers of the Molina Learning Center: Volume Two," which included many pieces on the historic 2008 election.
For more information on the program and publication, contact Nancy Anderson at nanderso@aum.edu.
Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange greets one of the young authors featured in "The Young Writers of the Molina Learning Center: Volume Five”
Photo by Frank Williams
Reporting by Buffy Lockette