Intrepid Pens (The Intrepid Pens DTES Reading & Writing Society)

If there is one type of charity that wins my heart above almost everyone else is that focused on education, and in particular, on adult education. When I was a child (I was 11 at the time), I told my parents I wanted to volunteer with INEA (the Mexican National Institute for Adult Education). INEA designs and implements literacy and numeracy programmes, and my focus was poor, gang-riddled areas in the city where I grew up and where my parents live now. I want to thank my dear friend Alexis Hinde for letting me know about a similar program in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, Intrepid Pens.

The Intrepid Pens DTES Reading & Writing Society (“Intrepid Pens”) provides literacy-based programming for residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES).

Through a variety of programs (including, at present, a book club, a creative writing workshop, and an arts and culture appreciation component) Intrepid Pens provides opportunities for guided writing and reading in the DTES, because we believe in the power of storytelling (and the sharing, healing, and growing that result) as a real vehicle for change. Intrepid Pens has been offering programming in the DTES since the summer of 2008.

I thoroughly believe that the best way to change the world is to educate people, and I am glad that there is a program such as Intrepid Pens. Thanks, Amanda, for taking the initiative to facilitate your programming. And I do hope that you can find a generous donor/sponsor that can help you take the programme and expand it to focus on youth and men, and not only on women.

Today the offering is a comprehensive Reading & Writing Program (“Intrepid Pens”) that includes weekly Book Club meetings, a Creative Writing Workshop, outings, and arts and culture appreciation. Between 2009 and 2011, Intrepid Pens met weekly at the women’s centre. Starting in August 2011, the group will meet at the brand-new W2 Media Cafe. At present, based on the nature of the space provided by the women’s centre, Intrepid Pens provides programming for women only. However, moving forward, with the help of a variety of DTES organizations and local sponsors, Intrepid Pens will grow to include programs for men and youth.