school and home www.growingupchico.com 08
growing up chico magazine
Story Makers, Chico: Inspiring a Stronger Community, One Story at a Time
S
upport. Encourage. Empower. In a nutshell, this is the ultimate goal of the Chico Story Makers: a nonprofit organization aimed at bringing a community writing hub to Downtown Chico. “We want to bring people together to experience, not only the unique power of writing and story, but also the positive impact of mentorship and community,” says Julie Rinehart, secretary and one of the founding board members of Story Makers. With structured and thoughtful writing workshops built around various
By: Emily Lee Hajec
themes, participants (age K-12) can join an eight-week scheduled session that meets once or twice a week. Sessions will improve communication and writing skills, support creativity, and foster relationships with peers and positive role models. Additionally, summer and spring break sessions will be offered, as well as adult writing classes. “Story Makers is so much more than just writing,” Rinehart says of their organization. Now more than ever, students in our community struggle to experience success, cultivate their creativity, or even find a sense of community and belonging. The truth
is this: Not every kid has someone in their corner. Even for kids who do have someone in their corner and have a strong support system at home, those children may want to embrace their love of writing further. Part of what makes Story Makers such a versatile support piece for kids in the community is that the workshops are designed around various themes and with different outcomes for each session. The curriculum is designed for students who struggle with writing and students who want to embrace their love of creative writing. And the team behind Story Makers recognizes this. Their founding
