In these genre-fluid classes, we’ll surprise ourselves creatively, remove writing roadblocks, and come to the empty page with a spirit of curiosity and openness. The focus of these classes will be on generating new work: each class, we’ll try a range of prompts and exercises drawn from practices including meditation, theater, and visual art, all designed to open up the space for ease, fun, vulnerability, weirdness and experimentation in your writing process. These classes are appropriate both for beginners and for those who’ve done a lot of writing—accessing and expressing our creative self is an ongoing process for everyone, and is something that can surprise us every day if we let it. Whether you’re interested in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, hybrid writing, or all of it, you’ll leave the class with the first drafts of lots of new pieces, and an expanded sense of what’s possible in your writing.

Artist:
Ellie Garran is a writer from Australia working in hybrid forms. They've previously worked as an actor and musician, and they're now an MFA candidate in poetry at the University of Minnesota.

Dates:
August 14th
August 28th
September 4th

RECLAIM’s Gratitude Circle is a monthly gathering to express our gratitude to our community, donors, and other volunteers. So many people step up to make RECLAIM's work to increase mental health support for queer and trans youth a possibility and we want to thank them! This is designed to be a low-pressure, no commitment opportunity and is a great place to start if you want to get more involved with RECLAIM.

Activities will be different each time, but include: signing letters and writing postcards, making phone calls to donors, folding/stuffing/preparing mailings, and creating/delivering handmade gifts to our steadfast supporters. We'll also work on crafts and decorations in preparation for our annual Celebrate the Love brunch every February.

We'll have light snacks and lots of fun! 5:00-6:30 on the Third Monday of each month (unless otherwise indicated).

RSVP to Samuel at samuel@reclaim.care. You're invited to fill out our volunteer application, although this is not required.

This is the 4th event of 2019 for Passages. The exact time, program details, and a link to register will be published soon!

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RECLAIM works to increase access to mental health support for queer and trans youth. The Passages program aims to change the cultural and systemic landscape of healing for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer people (LGBTQ) and People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) individuals and communities through supporting practitioner development.

POCI and Transgender/Gender Non-Binary students and practitioners of all experience levels from healing and social service disciplines are encouraged to participate. This program is open to all practitioners - allies invested in interculturally sensitive healing are welcome.

Free event, but please register as space is limited through the link for "tickets" [will be posted soon]. Plan to bring a bag lunch.

Passages is a four-part series that will span several months. It intends to foster networking, community connections and create institutional change. Attendance at the prior event is not necessary for participation.

Finally, please consider taking this short anonymous survey: https://goo.gl/forms/vISmqlwY1e55dcVv1 to support us in gathering valuable narratives. Contact passages@reclaim.care with any questions. We look forward to connecting and building community with you!