St. Joe's Youth Write from the Heart
Eight youth at St. Joseph’s Home for Children recently became published authors – and had the unique opportunity to take their learning outside of the classroom. Students in the Residential Treatment program held a reading at Barnes & Noble in the Edina Galleria to wrap up the Writers’ Workshop they had participated in since November. 
“They listened to their own hearts and their own minds, and wrote about what was there, very courageously,” writer Margie Adler said.
Adler visited St. Joe’s eight times to work with the students in grades six to 11 on writing techniques such as details and asking questions. At the end of each class, the aspiring writers shared their work with each other, offering positive feedback.
Students chose their own style and form for expressing themselves, including both poetry and prose. At the reading, they shared their work with parents, teachers and others in the crowd.
St. Joe’s Writers’ Workshop began in 2000 when Barnes & Noble approached Adler and St. Joe’s. Barnes & Noble hosts the final reading, as well as prints and binds copies of the youths’ work for them to keep. The cover of the book was artwork drawn by one of the students.
Adler praised the students for their dedication and willingness to share their voices. A poem by one student is below.
It’s Hard
It’s Hard
It’s hard for the people I know because of the fact they ain’t got dough.
It’s hard struggling to survive and live our lives.
It’s hard knowing your phone could be turned off at any minute because
you don’t have money at the minute.
It’s hard out here for a kid when your chances are by the age of 18 you end up gone.
It’s just hard.
Return to Current News
