TWC Goes Virtual

Video workshops launched within weeks  of the pandemic outbreak Contributed by Jesse Cohoon

 

As the world adapts to new ways of living during a global pandemic, the Toronto Writers Collective (TWC) has shifted its approach in how the arts-based charity delivers creative writing workshops.

 
All TWC workshops were put on hiatus at over 30 locations throughout the GTA, Ottawa, Montreal and Sudbury after the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 a pandemic in mid-March.

 
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the TWC had delivered in-person writing workshops ranging from groups of 4 to 20 writers.
“The irony was not lost on us as an organization,” TWC’s Doug Grundman, Co-Executive Director explains. “Our origin story is rooted in meeting the needs of the vulnerable and intellectually isolated.
When this new age of self-isolation, social distancing and lockdown emerged, we were forced to ask, ‘How can we continue to show that all stories and all voices have value?’”

 
Despite a steep learning curve affecting all levels of the TWC, video technology, promoted by social media, was quickly adopted as the most effective way to gather participants for workshops that adhered to quarantine regulations.

 
Today there are 16 regularly scheduled workshops available Monday to Friday using Zoom.

 
Every week a simple “first come, first served” online sign-up system is sent out to TWC’s database of over 600 writers, supporters and community partners.
While the delivery of the workshops has pivoted from onsite and in-person to interactive video conferencing, TWC remains unchanged in its dedication to empowering vulnerable communities by giving them a voice through transformational writing.

 
The two-hour creative writing workshops continue and are open to anyone over 19 years of age. The interactive video workshops, moderated by TWC facilitators, usually attract between 8 to 15 participants per session.

 
“No matter, online or in person, it is magnificent to share perspectives, more important now in this time of loneliness.” Susan Turk Mozer, Founder of the TWC, commented.  “Transforming lives through writing doesn’t change.  It is a constant, even in the time of Covid-19.”

 
Since the pandemic the TWC has also grown its social media presence, attracting new workshop participants from across Ontario as well as people wishing to train as volunteer workshop facilitators.

 
The Toronto Writers Collective (TWC) celebrated National Volunteer Week this April by hosting a virtual writing workshop for all new and experienced facilitators. Since 2012 the TWC has trained more than 180 volunteer facilitators to moderate the not-for-profit organization’s free creative writing workshops now available online because of the pandemic.

TwitterGoogle+FacebookLinkedInDiggStumbleUponBlogger PostDeliciousShare

Other News

broken-christmas-tree

Hello Holiday Readers

How many holiday editions is this now?? Twelve to be precise. The last two, amid pandemics, have been interesting. We did the giving guide last year, and this year did not get the content or … [Read More...]

cabbagetown-business-survival

Will Our Small Businesses Survive?

Contributed by Anita Bostok. As Cabbagetown residents, we know full well the advantages of downtown living. We walk down the street, and everything we need is at our fingertips. But we can’t take it … [Read More...]

don-valey-art-show

DVAC Holiday Show and Sale:

The show remains open at the Papermill Gallery until Sunday, November 20th at 4pm We are excited to be back in our favourite haunt, the Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills for this year’s Holiday … [Read More...]

caroline-murphy-web

Thanks a billion for your support

Thank you to my fellow candidates and you , as residents, for your commitment to the election process and being engaged. It is people like you who give me hope for all we can accomplish together and … [Read More...]

getting-to-know-you-

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Cabbagetown is a neighbourhood of beauty, heritage, cultural diversity and inclusion. We are Anita Bostok and Norman Hathaway and we’re proud to contribute this regular feature where you get to know … [Read More...]

CarolineMurphy-Advert

CAROLINE MURPHY

“We can do better” - Candidate for City Councillor Ward 13 - Toronto - Center Caroline Murphy In September, I wrote about why I was running to be your City Councillor for Ward 13 and since then, I … [Read More...]

Photo credits Marion Voysey

My Betty White

My Betty White Photo credits Marion Voysey Betty White– is a visual artist, living and working in downtown Toronto. Born in the US, Betty studied painting and, for a period, paper making, in a … [Read More...]

lavenue-restaurant-cabbagetown

Elora L’Avenue

Contributed by Anita Bostok - After a soft opening last summer, L’Avenue restaurant at 583 Parliament Street is now creating quite a buzz. Taking inspiration from the chic cafes and brasseries she … [Read More...]