Iowa Youth Writing Project

The Iowa Youth Writing Project (IYWP) is a volunteer-powered non-profit organization founded in 2010 by University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduates in 2010 that aims to join Iowa City’s unique literary heritage with Iowa’s larger community by empowering, inspiring, and educating Iowa’s youth through creative experimentation, word play, and the joyful exploration of language in writing workshops.

The IYWP provides one-of-a-kind writing, publishing, and creative learning opportunities to Iowa’s children and teens for little to no cost, thanks to the generosity of community members, partnerships with local organizations and institutions, and the time, energy, and creativity of IYWP volunteers.

We currently serve 10 weekly sites including elementary schools, community centers, and rehabilitation facilities. We also hold one-off workshops and special events around the community. IYWP volunteers lead creative writing activities with kids in grades K-12 in order to get them excited about words and inspired to better express themselves creatively.

The IYWP's main goals and objectives are to foster imagination and the art of creative writing and communication for children and teens; provide free opportunities for project-based literary and interdisciplinary learning; inspire children and teens with a lifelong appreciation of the writing arts; create events, workshops, and other avenues for children and teens to work with nationally recognized and professional writers; provide after-school and in-school support for teachers and students; and serve as a resource for student writing and publishing.