The Wick Outreach Program offers writing workshops in many area schools and senior centers and partners with libraries and community organizations on creative projects, bringing the literary arts to a wide audience in Northeastern Ohio.

For the past eight years, we have had successful, on-going partnerships with the Holden and Davey Elementary Schools in Kent, Cloverleaf Intermediate School in Seville, Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts in Akron, and Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna. With support from Arts-in-Stark and Akron Community Foundation, the Outreach Program has recently expanded and deepened its work in Stark County and at Miller South School in Akron to include more students in poetry workshops and songwriting and rhythm workshops conducted by resident artist, musician Hal Walker.

In addition, with assistance from Wick Interns Marianne Jackson and Jamie De Monte, we have also conducted writing workshops with Cedar Elementary School, Belden Elementary School, Choices High School, Ruffing Montessori School, Barberton High School, Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School, Indian Valley High School, Marlington High School, Ravenna High School, and the Stark County District Library. The monthly writing workshops led by Outreach Director, David Hassler at Judson Retirement Center in Cleveland are continuing for a seventh year.

"Giving Voice," produced by David Hassler and his undergraduate service-learning class, "Teaching Poetry in the Schools," is an annual evening of poetry and song held on the Kent State University campus in April of each year. The performance involves over 150 students and teachers from third grade through high school and attracts an audience of up to 500 people.