Pongo Poetry Project

Ignite Pongo is right around the corner! On Saturday June 27th you’ll have the opportunity to spend the day learning Pongo’s trauma-informed techniques for supporting youth mental health with our wonderful co-trainers: Ashley Skartvedt & Judy Sobeloffl!

Ashley & Judy are both experts in expressive arts programming and share a commitment to the healing impact of providing such opportunities for young people. Swipe to learn more about each of our Ignite Pongo co-trainers.

Scholarships are on offer for those in need, and continuing education credits are available for participating. And most importantly, you’ll be in great hands at our next training, so pick up your tickets today!

TICKETS 👉 https://buff.ly/YL0N1nI

Its summertime at Pongo, and that means we’re recruiting for volunteer Writing Mentors for our upcoming program year!

Writing Mentors are at the forefront of our work, engaging youth in writing heartfelt poetry at Pongo program sites across the Seattle area. The 2026-2027 academic year is right around the corner, and Pongo is looking for mentors to join us in this work.

Are you interested in inspiring healing, growth, and resilience among youth who have experienced trauma? Then visit our website for details about the opportunity and how to apply! 👉 https://buff.ly/YnC6nx6

Pongo’s May newsletter is hot off the press! This is your one stop shop to catch up on all things Pongo, including:

🧑‍🎓our next community training
🎉 exciting community events
✍️ new youth poetry

and much more!

➡️ Read here: https://buff.ly/C9QnJ58 ⬅️

🚨IGNITE PONGO IS ONE MONTH AWAY🚨

Young people need our support in nurturing their mental health, and Pongo’s trauma-informed poetry writing intervention is a unique and effective way to offer just that. To learn our tried-and-true techniques for supporting youth mental health, join us for the spring edition of Ignite Pongo on Saturday June 27th.

During Ignite Pongo, you’ll hone your skills as a Poetry Mentor, learn how to remove barriers to self-expression, and encourage honesty from survivors of difficult life experiences. Additionally, attendees are able to earn Continuing Education (CE) credits by participating! CE credits are provided by the Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute.

Purchase your Ignite Pongo tickets today, and spread the word to those you know who might be interested!

🎟️ Tickets 👉️ https://buff.ly/oWEahdv

Check out our latest youth poetry column in Real Change News!

Real Change exists to provide opportunity and a voice to low-income and homeless people while taking action for economic, social and racial justice. Our latest column features youth poetry from Pongo programming at the Clark Children & Family Justice Center (CCFJC), King County’s juvenile detention facility.

Take a moment to engage with and reflect on the words and insights of our youth writers. And join us in honoring our youth writer’s vulnerability and creativity by sharing this poetry with a friend, family member, or colleague!

Read the column here: https://buff.ly/n4rb2fI

🚨 New poetry alert! 🚨

📰 Get your daily dose of inspiration with Pongo’s youth poetry column in the , featuring the wise words and creative insights of Pongo youth writers from the Echo Glen Children’s Center, a juvenile rehabilitation facility in Snoqualmie. Take a moment to read and reflect on these poems, and join us in celebrating the talent and creativity of these youth poets by sharing these poems with a family member, friend, or colleague.

Interested in reading more Pongo youth poetry? Visit our online book store to pick up one of our youth poetry anthologies!

Read the column here 👉️ https://buff.ly/owFqhZg
Visit our bookstore 👉️ https://buff.ly/0P7MtpR

Are you interested in learning Pongo’s tried and true techniques for leading healing poetry programming? 🌱 Then Ignite Pongo is just for you!

On Saturday, June 27th, join us for the spring edition of Ignite Pongo to cultivate your skills in trauma-informed poetry mentorship with youth. And not only that, attendees are eligible for Continuing Education credits via our friends at the Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute.

Purchase your Ignite Pongo tickets today, and spread the word to those you know who might be interested!

🎟️ Tickets 👉️ https://buff.ly/oWEahdv

Mother’s Day is this weekend, and in honor of the holiday, we invite you to engage in reflection about the occasion.

We know that Mother’s Day can feel like a lot…or not much at all. What emotions does this day elicit? When have you felt cared for and how did that feel? How do you feel today? Swipe for prompts to help guide your reflection and your writing.

We invite you to share your writing and if you feel so moved, to tag us in it. Or just keep it for yourself–both count.

Today is GiveBIG and we invite you to join us in showing up for, and standing with, justice-involved youth.

Through poetry, we convene a supportive space for youth to tell their own stories, on their own terms. As one Pongo youth writer put it, “poetry turns the wisps of abstract thought into words and feelings that people understand.” Young people unburden themselves of traumas they shouldered silently, and rekindle dreams they had long since abandoned. In doing so, poetry becomes a tool that young people use to discover healing, hope, and growth.

To partner with us in the life affirming work, join our GiveBig campaign today. Together, we will provide young people a space for envisioning a future beyond their turmoil; supporting their recovery and inspiring their emotional relief.

GiveBIG to Pongo here 👉️ https://buff.ly/obVGaEB