Sometimes, the things we need find us when we least expect them. Earlier this fall, I spotted a flyer for the Center for New Americans’ 30 Poems in 30 Days fundraiser in a coffee shop, and it felt like a delightful surprise. I’ve been wanting to make more room for creativity in my life, and here was an invitation to reconnect with something I’ve loved since I was young while showing up for a cause I deeply support.
Poetry has always been a way for me to make sense of my emotions and experiences. I believe in the power of language and the written word to help us understand ourselves, connect with one another, and feel a little less alone.
My dad immigrated to the United States from Italy, and some of my favorite connections with him have come through the stories he’s shared about his childhood. Those stories have helped me understand him more deeply and have become a bridge between our experiences and generations. They remind me of how much we can learn about one another when we make space for each other's stories.
This November, I’m writing 30 poems in 30 days to raise funds for the Center for New Americans, which supports immigrants and refugees as they build new lives in Western Mass.
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to feel welcomed, supported, and at home. I’m grateful to combine a creative practice I love with an opportunity to support that vision.
Thank you for being here, following along, sharing, or donating if you’re able.
May we keep listening to one another’s stories and building a world where everyone has a place to call home.
