Transformation
Lake Erie Ink: a writing space for youth has been working for 10 years to build a creative youth community. This summer, we came up with a way to inspire the community using a common theme. As summer changed over to fall, we wanted to bring people together again. This time, we reflected on the ever-changing world we live in with our new theme: Transformations.
The pictures are nice, but it’s even better in person. We displayed all submissions at a Coventry storefront in Cleveland Heights. Go check it out now at 1812 Coventry Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
Thank you to Mallory Phillips and the Coventry SID, who helped us secure the storefront and for supporting this community public art project. Thank you to Suzanne at Macs Backs who helped inspire those she knew to submit. And most of all, thank you to the over 40 of you who mailed, emailed or dropped off your submissions to us! They will be on view through December and then we will publish all in an anthology. All writers and artists will receive one copy free of charge. Other anthologies will be for a donation of $5.00.
If you want to learn more about this project or how to receive your copy of an anthology, email us at eli@lakeerieink.org. You can also check out our FB page and website for upcoming events and to learn more about what we do.
Celebrate #GivingTuesdayCLE with Lake Erie Ink
Dear friends of Lake Erie Ink,
We invite you to support Lake Erie Ink this #GivingTuesday. Your gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference for young writers in our community.
We need your support now more than ever! You give kids opportunities to develop their creative voice. Donate this giving Tuesday and let them know their stories matter.
With Gratitude,
“What is the most important thing your child gained from this experience?”
Interview With Erin Horan, LEI volunteer
What would a writing space for youth be without volunteers? We sat down for an interview with Erin Horan who has been volunteering with us for 2-3 years. Originally from Boston, she currently works as a Development and Communications Associate at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
Who are you?
My name is Erin Rose Horan and I’m a writer living in Lakewood, Ohio. I work as a Development and Communications Associate at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. I’m a native of the Boston, MA area.
What is your role with Lake Erie Ink?
I volunteer with Lake Erie Ink’s writing programs, which means I help students engage with the activities, express themselves, explore their creativity, and hone their writing skills. By validating the students’ unique voices, I also help them develop self-confidence.
How long have you been working with us?
I’ve been involved with Lake Erie Ink for 2-3 years now.
Why do you continue to work with Lake Erie Ink?
I continue working with Lake Erie Ink because it is a truly special place! The staff have been so welcoming to me from Day 1. I’ve never felt like an outsider. There is a truly beautiful energy around LEI and I believe its work is so important for kids. Not only do I have fun in the sessions themselves, as an active participant, but I learn how to be a better teacher from observing and interacting with program staff (and I learn a lot from the kids, too!).
Can you speak to one moment in one of the writing programs that really stands out?
Transformation, A Creative Community Challenge
After the success of our One Summer Day…Creative Community Challenge, we can’t help but wonder what might happen on One FALL Day! We are excited to announce the theme for our Fall Creative Community Challenge:
“Transformation”.
LEI invites you to share your stories! Respond to the theme (transformation) with a poem, story, comic or artwork. Are you up for the Challenge?
A couple things to know before submitting:
- Work will be displayed in a local storefront window.
- Select pieces will be chosen to be published in an anthology
- Open to creators ages 1-99 and ages 101+. (If you are 100, just lie about your age)
- Select pieces will be chosen to be published in an anthology at the end of November. 100 years old, just lie about your age).
- Must be original and respond in some way to the theme.
- Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, comics and other artwork welcome.
- LEI will make final decisions about editing and publishing.
- Writing has to be less than 500 words long.
How to submit:
Fill out the form below:
If the form isn’t working, you can access it by clicking here. Additionally, feel free to email the submission to us directly at creativecommunitychallenge@gmail.com or mail the submission to us at
2843 Washington Blvd.
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
Getting Ready for College
Save the dates, folks-College Essay is back and better than ever! With future workshops 9/16, 9/30, 10/14 and 10/28 we are dedicated to inspiring and instructing personal narrative for all teens across NEO. Each of these ZOOM courses will be held 6:30-8:00 at $10 a session. Come to one, some or all of these sessions-we will meet you where you are at!
Conversation with Chris
We recently sat down and had a conversation with Chris Garson, published author and long time Lake Erie Ink volunteer, and his experience volunteering with us, what he does when he isn’t volunteering at Ink Spot and a little impromptu career advice.
Learn more about Chris by clicking here!
Who are you?
I’ve lived in Cleveland Heights since 1991 and I grew up in shaker so I’m native to the east side. I love it here. I worked for Progressive Insurance from 1984 to 2010 and I retired in 2010 to start writing. I actually started writing in 2002 when I did it on nights and weekends. Progressive was a great place to work, I have a lot of good friends there, but after 25 years I was ready to move on and do something else and I’ve been really happy writing since then.
I stumbled across Lake Erie Ink in the weirdest way. I was working on a website using wordpress and there were two people sitting at a table near me who were also talking about wordpress. I eavesdropped on them and it turned out to be Cynthia Larsen! They were working on the Lake Erie Ink website. I learned a little about it then and Cynthia said “Well, you should stop by sometime.”
A few months went by and I needed something to do. I liked my writing but I spent a lot of time at home. I needed to be out with other people so I decided to stop in and see what it was all about. That was 8 years ago and I’ve been there ever since.
I spent a lot of time in Ink Spot. I’ve done Tuesdays and Thursday since forever and love doing it. Its awesome working with the little kids and helping them find their voice and learn how to express themselves.
It’s just been the perfect pace for me to spend some of my time because of my love of writing. Hopefully I have some helpful information to impart. Working with kids always feels great. Just doing volunteer work feels good!
Is there one particular story that stands out?
I’m always fascinated by how the kids imagination work and their understanding of the world. I had this student a couple years back Gabe, he was a real cutie. He wanted to be an entrepreneur so bad. He was always making cards and games and trying to get people to buy his stuff. He was curious about my writing. He wanted to know if I made a lot of money writing. So I told him I’ve been doing it for about ten years and I’ve made about 150 bucks.
He asks is that a lot?
I go if you want to take your family out for dinner you can get a nice meal but if you actually want to support a family probably not.
He’s like good to know, I’ll work on selling my games!
Did you ever buy a game?
I did – I have bought some of his stuff. I try to support the kids whatever they do.
We had one student my first or second year who wrote a 400 page novel. He’s about 12 years old. So I was always encouraging him, asking him about it. He was going to sell it on Amazon. I’m proud to say I was his first paying customer.
I have the book today. I got him to autograph it, his sister who was a future ink spotter, and the artist of the book.
That’s special!
Yeah. And what’s also cool, that family’s been a great family in Ink Spot. I’ve enjoyed watching four of their kids come through the program over the years. They’re great kids, great parents, a great family.
We talked a lot about how nice the kids are, something we don’t say enough, but there’s a lot of great parents out there. I find that the parents who want their kids to go to Lake Erie Ink and enjoy the Ink Spot and other programs are the kinds of parents we wished we all had. The kinds of parents who care about their kids, are investing in their education and fostering their imagination. I met so many great parents like that over my years there that they really deserve a big shout out to for getting kids to attend things like Ink Spot.
Meet Beverly Ann-Burks!
I am a woman of Faith, a life long learner and an advocate for Young People. I have worked in the non-profit arena for over 30 years. I started my career in Community and Economic Development, and have worked in Youth Development since 2008, starting with a grant from The Annie E. Casey Foundation and subsequently with MyCom. I am passionate about the Arts and Culture
What is/was your role with Lake Erie Ink?
I served as a Founding Board member, a board officer and remain a supporter of both Amy and Lake Erie Ink.
Why did you get involved and stay involved with Lake Erie Ink?
I got involved with LEI with Amy Rosenbluth who I met through the Treu Mart Fellowship. I had the honor of serving as her mentor/coach. I have a great deal of care and respect for Amy. She asked me to serve on the founding board of a new organization she was launching. I have met some of the most amazing people through LEI and remain engaged because of Amy, the Board and the amazing work LEI does with young people. Amy is a collaborative leader and has created a solid network in the Youth Development world.
How long have you been involved with us?
Since its inception.
How have we evolved?
The greatest evolution has been in expanding beyond the walls of the organization. LEI has grown to be a “go to” resource for technical assistance with literacy, youth engagement and creative writing.
What direction did you think the organization was heading 10 years ago? How does what you thought Lake Erie Ink would look like compare to where our organization is today?
Ten Years ago, as a Board member, I envisioned Lake Erie Ink being a destination for young people in the Eastern Inner Ring suburbs. The location and space were the focal point, in my mind. I understood the importance of providing off site instruction to students to assist teachers or Out of School Time providers. However I thought the location based programming was the key.
Mary Bethune 6th Grade Anthology
Click here to view the full PDF!
This is the creative work of the fourth graders in Ms. Uter & Ms. Inzana’s ELA Class at Mary M. Bethune School. During the 2019-2020 school year, teaching artist, Cynthia Larsen from Lake Erie Ink: a writing space for youth, taught the sixth grade how to write personal narratives.
The creative work of these students and their teachers was funded by a TeachArtsOhio grant
from the Ohio Arts Council. We would like to thank the OAC for supporting the arts and creative
expression at Mary M. Bethune School. We also want to thank the students, teachers, and
principal for supporting creative expression in the classroom.
One Summer Day…
One Summer Day… people of all ages from all over met our creative community challenge to respond to a prompt with a piece of writing or artwork. We had over 50 submissions from ages 8-80. From drawings to poetry, sculpture to story we were blown away by how this project turned out.
The pictures are nice, but it’s even better in person. We displayed all submissions at a Coventry storefront in Cleveland Heights. Go check it out now at 1812 Coventry Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.