Mighty Writers

Mighty Writers is currently hiring for a Program Operations Manager at our newest site in El Paso, Texas. The person hired for this position will provide support in all matters related to operations, facilities, ordering supplies and technology. Job type: Part-time Rate of pay: $25 per hour Work hours: Up to 25 hours per week Schedule: 4 hour shifts, Monday-Friday and weekends as needed. There are two ways to apply: email a resume and cover letter to 📧sdtrillo@mightywriters.org, or you can apply directly at the link below. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eRJ8D4mm #joinourteam #nowhiring #mightywriters

September came and went, which means we’re already headed into the second full month of the school year. Maybe you have students who need community service hours to graduate. Or, maybe you’re interested in a volunteer role yourself. Either way, we know it’s hard to find the perfect fit when you’re looking to volunteer, but we make it easy! We have a VIRTUAL volunteer orientation this Wednesday, October 2 where people can learn about their volunteer options and our mission. It’s a great way to get acclimated to Mighty Writers and your potential new volunteer role before actually starting or committing to anything. All you have to do is RSVP to Christina and she will send you the Zoom link: 📧 cechevarria@mightywriters.org

PA Humanities is excited to announce the selection of 22 public libraries and out-of-school time (OST) organizations to participate in the 2024-2026 Youth-Led Humanities Cohort. These sites, representing both rural and urban communities across the state, have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering youth leadership and engagement through the humanities. Each selected site has access to $5,000 to support projects and activities that reflect the interests and needs of young people. Participants will also gain access to professional development opportunities, including individualized coaching, community of practice meetings, and workshops led by library leaders and humanities professionals. Youth-Led Humanities is a program of PA Humanities developed and supported in part by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries with additional support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, individual donors and other funders. Abington Community Library BF Jones Memorial Library Bloomsburg Public Library Brandywine Community Library Cambria County Library System Cleve J. Fredricksen Library Erie Center for Arts and Technology Free Library of Philadelphia - Greater Olney Branch Free Library of Philadelphia GREENSBURG HEMPFIELD AREA LIBRARY Indiana Free Library Lower Macungie Library Mighty Writers MONTGOMERY COUNTY-NORRISTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY New Castle Public Library PRIESTLEY FORSYTH MEMORIAL LIBRARY Erie County Public Library Fleisher Art Memorial Sayre Public Library Theatre Horizon Tredyffrin Township Libraries

I'm excited to share my latest article. Key points: 1. A cancelled school visit due to test prep highlights how our narrow definition of educational equity can limit opportunities for students. 2. We need to shift our focus from closing the "achievement gap" to addressing the "opportunity gap" in education. 3. Technology in education should be used to create transformative experiences, not just to improve test scores. 4. We must address systemic issues of racism, poverty, and lack of access before technology can be effectively leveraged for change. 5. The article introduces the concept of "Bad Tech" (BT) as an extension of "Bad Stats" (BS), exploring how biases can lead to misguided technological solutions in education. I invite my network to read the full article and share your thoughts on how we can reimagine educational equity and the role of technology in creating meaningful opportunities for all students. Thank you to Michele Cober, Esq. and Verizon for inviting me to share these remarks at the 2024 Annual Legislative Conference. #EducationalEquity #EdTech #HBCUs #DigitalDivide #OpportunityGap

The number one book on the NYT nonfiction bestseller list for the last 23 weeks is titled "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness." Bottom-line thesis of author Jonathan Haidt's runaway hit book? Digital life — particularly the use of smartphones — is making kids deeply, intensely unhappy. The addiction to smartphones — along with the obsession with Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and all their cybernated brethren — is leading to sleep deprivation, compulsive disorders and mental illness in general. All familiar, especially if you have a young person in your life and have witnessed obsessive digital use up close and personal. Digital obsession is something we think a lot about at Mighty Writers. We see firsthand how cell phones pull kids away from their instructors, mentors and peers; how a buzzing alert in a pocket can distract a student from caring about what they're thinking or writing. This month, at the start of the school year, we banned the use of cell phones in our after-school program. It's a small step, one adopted by the Los Angeles school district, but we think a necessary one. Still, there's a part of us that can grow defensive on behalf of our young Mighty writers: Why pick on the kids? How many times have we grown-ups had an in-person conversation interrupted by a friend who feels it necessary to answer their cell phone — "Excuse me, this will only take a minute"? Or how many of us have picked up our phone to take a quick run through TikTok or Instagram and 45 minutes later find ourselves still scrolling through images and messages that are mostly instantly forgettable? Digital life has affected us all, kids the most, fair to say, because their minds and viewpoints are still evolving. They need smart, insistent and kind guidance, none of which they're going to find on a screen. Author Haidt calls for societal and policy changes, including delaying smartphone use until high school. So much to think about. What goes unsaid is the double whammy of the times we're living in — where threats and assassination attempts are becoming commonplace, where schools have active shooter drills, where immigrants are demonized and unsupervised play for kids has been scrapped in many communities out of generalized fear. It's a lot. For kids, especially, for sure. We're in uncharted territory. It's why we desperately look to change the subject with words that could bring a smile. Speaking of, how 'bout them Phils?

Mighty Writers is joining the movement to #getoutandvote. Most of our students are not eligible to vote yet, but that’s not stopping them from #usingtheirvoice. If you’re not registered yet— get on it! It’s easy and only takes a few minutes. And, as the kids would agree, voting is #Mighty. PA register here 👉: https://bit.ly/4cLk812 NJ register here 👉: https://bit.ly/3B7H91i See you at the polls in a few short months! 😉

Mighty thanks to The Press of Atlantic City for covering the unveiling of our mobile food pantry last week! https://lnkd.in/e5vqbZtj

Two literacy enthusiasts walk into a book bank…

Student spotlight ⭐️ Meet Sharon! She has been meeting with #mighty mentor, Alexandra, for two years now and the progress is so evident! “Sharon came in to [Mighty Writers] as a successful student, but I am really proud of her growth emotionally. She has learned to calm herself down and reduce anxiety she previously faced,” said Alexandra. “As a very busy student, Sharon often just wants to chat and so we do that. I am grateful that I can show up and support her in so many different ways.” No matter where a student is in their academic or personal journey, Mighty Writers is here to support them. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, or you have a student who needs a mentor, reach out to Troi or message us. We’re here to help! 📧: thinson@mightywriters.org #mentorships #studentsuccessstory #mightywriters

It’s Mighty Writers’ #15thAnniversary this year and we’ve grown so much since first opening our doors. With staff operating their own sites and food distributions across NJ, Philly, Chester County and most recently in El Paso, it’s hard for us to see each other all the time. Luckily, once a year, we all gather at the beach (MW Atlantic City) to discuss how to improve our literacy programs and food distributions. Of course we had to take a #selfie. We couldn’t do what we do without each of the people in these photos. Everyone brings their own flare and personality to MW’s classrooms and distribution lines and we’re grateful to have each of them on our team! Here’s to seeing our growth over the next 15 years and watching our team expand even more! #Mighty