This is our big fundraiser to match the rest of the Knights Arts Grant and begin the fundraising process for Brave New Voices where we won the World Championship for youth poetry in 2011 and finished 2nd in 2012. This year PYPM will travel to Chicago for this event. The money for the Knights Arts Grant match will be used to establish a safe space that will serve as PYPM's offical office and site. We conduct weekly free writing workshops and so much more. We reach thousands and thousands of young people every year! We are changing lives. The city needs us!
PYPM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to helping Philadelphia area youth develop life-long skills which will help prepare them to become civic-minded and engaged citizens. Founded in 2006, PYPM supports youth to discover the power of their voices through spoken word and literary expression. Specifically, PYPM provides a safe environment for at-risk youth ages 13-19 to use poetry as a vehicle to express themselves, explore their identities, enhance literacy and critical thinking skills, all with the lens of positive social and community development. Through free weekly workshops, monthly slams, local and national performance opportunities, mentorship and community service, we provide a space where youth use their voices to bring about both personal and social transformation.