Great Lakes Young Writers (GLYW) offers the region’s young a friendly and creative, placed-based approach to author-mentored learning which weaves together history, nature, and creative fiction and non-fiction.

In order to positively affect the greatest number of young people, GLYW will work with a wide range of partners to develop fun and imaginative programming promoting cooperative learning environments and welcoming any and all literary genres (nature journaling, poetry, songwriting, journalism, etc). Further, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, through our efforts with Arts Across the Waters: Commemorating 200 Years of Peace Among Nations. will bring together youth of all nations and cultures to gain a better appreciation of their combined heritage through youth led summits, and, as a result, in developing cross-media artistic projects.

Photo: Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau
Traverse City, Michigan
www.traversecity.com

Special request: we want the Great Lakes young writer website to be as fun and user friendly and youth inspired as much as possible.  The GLYW logo after all was designed by graphic design students at Western Michigan University. Send ideas to Tom at tuleonard@msn.com

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Great Lakes Young Writers is to support, and encourage youth to express their ideas through the writing arts and other cultural media.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

• Strengthen the writing arts communities in the Great Lakes states and provinces to construct a proven writing arts model program;
  
• Encourage young writers to develop their unique talents and voices.
  
• Engage youth throughout the process of design, development, and implementation;
  
• Nurture writing arts and cultural programs in the Great Lakes region;
  
• Raise awareness of Great Lakes literary traditions by encouraging a writers network and facilitating writing programs;
  
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with existing writing arts and cultural programs, as well as with academia;
  
• Promote and coordinate writing arts workshops, retreats, and seminars in writing arts and related cultural endeavors; and
•  Promote a better understanding between people despite differing backgrounds and customs to encourage compassion and respect for all people