Join the Movement
One month ago there was a single weekly Speak Up writing community. Now there are three!
The first one began in April 2024 at the main library in downtown Rock Hill, SC.
Initially it was exclusively for people facing homelessness. But it quickly evolved into something more beautiful. A space for anyone to gather across chasms of social division, write in community, and unfold themselves to one another.
An average gathering is a diverse mix of people: different in housing status, belief, age, race, politics.
In the age of distrust, divisive algorithms, and social isolation, the Speak Up writing community proves a different way is possible.
“I want to say thanks for helping me to find my voice.”
“I’ve made actual friends.”
“I’ve found friends. I’ve found community.”
“You know me better than some people in my family.”
“I don’t want to imagine what things would be like without this writing community.”
“This workshop gives me something to look forward to.”
Many more writing communities are coming in 2026
What started as a project for a single location is now a model for multiplication.
As noted above, within the past month we’ve launched two additional weekly writing communities: a second one in Rock Hill, SC and then another in Matthews, NC.
But this is just scratching the surface.
In 2026 and beyond we envision helping inspire, equip, and launch dozens more communities. Each community becomes a place of connection, a nucleus for positive personal movement, a platform for leadership growth and empowerment, and an invitation to friendship.
Perhaps you’ll be part of forming or leading one of these communities? Take a look at the following and then reach out.
Location-Specific Funding
We want to sustainably fund this rapid multiplication with a small support campaign built around each location. Each campaign covers both the modest expenses of weekly supplies—notebooks, pens, coffee, donuts—as well as the associated general support operating expenses.
Pick a Community. Plant a seed.
Here are current writing community fundraisers. Each one is designed to support a specific writing community for an entire year.
The Mercantile Writing Community (Rock Hill, SC)
Prayer Room Writing Community (Rock Hill, SC)
Matthews Writing Community (Matthews, NC)
Or plant a seed and help us launch the next round of writing communities.
Thank you!
Even More…
And if you’ve really caught this vision, please consider a deeper partnership.
Tell others about the existing writing communities.
Select a community above and easily create a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign.
Start the conversation about launching a community in your area.
Wonderful to see this community in full bloom. It's a beautiful thing.