This Literacy Month, Join Our Circle and Make a Difference in Lives Cherished Friend

Greetings!

This September, during National Literacy Month, we’re celebrating what stories and poems can do: bring people together, open new perspectives, and kindle hope.

At People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos' programs led by our talented team of coordinators, participants gather in a circle to hear and read along with powerful short stories and poetry. They laugh, reflect, and build community through guided discussions. We bring literature to them, wherever they may be: transitional housing, prisons, senior centers, rehabilitation facilities; ours is a program without boundaries.

After participating in one of our programs, a young Mom experiencing homelessness recently shared:

“I never thought a story could open me up this way. Now I feel seen, I know I belong, and feel like I have a future.”

Thanks to supporters like you, we touched over 5,000 lives this past year. With special support from the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, we also brought poets and authors into our circles this year—unforgettable visits that sparked creativity, literacy, and courage. That funding has unfortunately ended, but with your help, we will keep this new chapter alive.

Each 8-week program costs $2,500 and serves 15 people.

What your gift makes possible:

$25/month ($300/year) → Sustains 2 participants for one 8-week program
$167 → Sponsors 1 participant for one 8-week program
$500 → Supports 3 participants for one 8-week program
$2,500 → Underwrites and sustains one full 8-week program (including poetry/author visits)

Please join us this Literacy Month. Your generosity creates safe spaces, eases loneliness, and invites every voice to be heard, and honored.

Many warm hugs,

(as our founder, Sarah Hirschman, would close letters to her friends, I am grateful for your friendship and support)

Debra

Debra Lampert-Rudman, M.Ed.

Executive Director, People & Stories / Gente y Cuentos

P.S. Monthly gifts help us plan for the year ahead. If you are able, please become a monthly donor today.

Click the button below and press "recurring donation" for monthly giving - Many thanks for your support!

Photo above: Front row: Several "Milagro Moms" at final session ; Coordinator Scott Feifer and Milagro House Director of Education Cathy Kudyba, from left, in back row.

Give the Gift of Hope through Stories

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage/

Celebre la Herencia Hispana at

Princeton Public Library

In partnership with the Princeton Public Library we are delighted to offer a free eight-week program of literature, poetry, discussion and writing in Spanish kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month.

Listen or read along, and join or listen to the discussion each week, of a specially curated Spanish-language short story & poem written by Latin American authors, read aloud by talented P&S/GyC Coordinator Dr. Marcy Schwartz.

All are welcome - ages 14 and up - space is limited, early registration encouraged.

All materials provided, including certificates of completion and a select book of Spanish-language short stories presented at the concluding session to all attending at least five sessions.

Registro / Register

So many opportunities to join our circle this month!

Every People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos session finds people seated in a circle - generally begins with an "icebreaker" (example? "If you were a vending machine - what would you vend?"), features a brilliant reading of a short story, sometimes a poem, and ends with connection.

Join us for a free "Try It" event—listen, reflect, and take in the experience.

Sharing in discussion or writing is always optional, and the invitation is always open to all, ages 14 and up.

Registration required and space is limited. Light refreshments provided.

You'll feel uplifted and energized following a

"Try It"!

Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. - virtual in English featuring Anndee

Sunday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m. - in person in English featuring Teresa

"Try It" Registration