30 Poems in November! Writers

Thank you to our 2025 30 Poems writers and supporters for a successful year!

Many people, both experienced and new, sign up for our Poem-a-Thon in support of free English classes for immigrants.

Participating Poets Tell Us

Why They Write

for 30 Poems in November!

There’s something alchemical that happens when a group of writers join together, even virtually, to pick up the pen and write in the name of justice and kindness. I am grateful for your support, and so are the countless others who benefit from the services of Center for New Americans.
Nerissa nields
Event Chair, Participating Poet
By writing thirty poems this month, I hope to search within and around me for truths and surprise. I share a poem daily via email in order to share this energy and to encourage donations to the vital organization, Center for New Americans, via the 30 Poems in November fundraiser.
sarah sullivan
Former Event Chair, Participating Poet
The election of a would-be dictator as President of our country was an enormous tragedy, and the effects have already proved to be far worse than most of us could imagine. It was also a call to pay attention, to do whatever we can to defend our democracy, to stand in the strength of compassion, justice – and community.
patricia lee lewis
Participating Poet
In support of the Center for New Americans, I will be writing a poem a day through the month of November, a time for preparing for winter, a time for leaning in. The Center for New Americans, a local organization, is a beacon that supports people through their journey to citizenship and their hope for a better life. Will you join me in keeping the lamp burning to sustain the very thing that makes America America, our diversity?!
leslie chalmers
Participating Poet
The America I love, the America of which I’m proud, is present in the people that gather on July 4th in our small city to welcome new citizens from the four corners of the earth—so many languages, so many life stories—people who are our new neighbors, new friends, looking to build a better, kinder, safer life here. This is the work of Center for New Americans and now, more than ever, it’s crucial.
D M Gordon
Participating Poet
It’s been hard to witness the events and injustices of the past year, and easy to feel powerless. This fundraising campaign for the Center for New Americans offers a small opportunity to make a big difference.
emily samuels
Participating Poet
My great-grandparents followed their dream of a better life from Poland through Ellis Island in the early 20th century, and here I stand a hundred years later with a degree from Smith College and poems published in a variety of journals, ready to celebrate their courage and hard work and lend a hand to the next group of people looking for their own better lives.
carole anzovin
Participating Poet
The wide world is in serious trouble, and much of the worst is beyond our reach — but Center for New Americans offers substantial help to people who truly need it — language, job skills, civic education, and a community to meet people and grow. I’m honored to be able to contribute to this work, and encourage you to help.
Robin barker
Participating Poet
Once again I will be writing poems and asking you to join me in helping to support the programs of the Center for New Americans. In these so very troubled times, this is one thing we can do to support the immigrants and refugees who are seeking to live freely and safely in our community. Funding these services is more important than ever to assist this highly vulnerable population.
Madlynn haber
Participating Poet
Your contribution—whether it’s $5, $40 or $200—serves an excellent organization, one that meets immigrants where they are and helps them day-by-day to reach their goals: new language skills, an education, a job, the means to support their family, and the opportunity to give back to the country that welcomed them in a time of need.
patricia crosby
Participating Poet
I love the fall because I know that we will have 30 Poems in November, the amazing fundraiser for Center for New Americans. This is near and dear to my heart because I have witnessed first hand, as a teacher, the difference CNA makes in the lives of the people it serves. Nothing brings me greater joy than to see our students or clients achieve their goals.
linda neas
Participating Poet
I am writing 30 poems in November to raise money for the Center for New Americans. Providing English classes for immigrants is always something I think should be supported, but especially right now as our country becomes more and more hostile. Please help me to support these people who are integral to our community.
Lucy mcguinness-holland
Participating Poet
The better I get at writing, the better I get at looking — and look at how much we have to see in this world. I am glad to be among people who want to listen, exercise their imaginations and build empathy, and glad to spend this time in support of an organization that’s helping add seats to the bountiful American table.
Ann youman
Participating Poet
If there ever was a time to contribute to CNAM, this is it. You gift, I write. Be generous. We need to help.
george cernada
Participating Poet
Let’s support CNAM and its many valuable programs because we’re all connected and we’re all on journeys. Some poems will be great. Some will not but maybe they’ll get to be full fledged poems someday. But the words and love will be there every single day.
CD Finley
Participating Poet
I am a first time poet and I love the work that The Center for New Americans does! I’m glad to be challenging myself and raising money for a great cause! We need to take care of one another. Period.
caroline lederman
Participating poet
I’m a poet who cares deeply about the world, which, right now (and always) is full of incredible suffering. Writing 30 poems in support of the Center for New Americans and the work they do in my community is a small gesture of love and care that I can offer.
Laura sackton
Participating poet
I spent about 20 years of my career teaching poetry to adults and young adults who are new to the English language. I am also a dreamwork professional who believes that our nighttime dreams, our aspirational dreams, and the dreams we commit to paper are powerful! So, it is not surprising that I have long been a supporter of the Center for New Americans, an organization that helps people create new dreams for their lives
tzivia gover
Participating poet
If you have come to this page you know that as a librarian I have the experience that has exposed me to people from many backgrounds. For many years I have seen my immigrant friend’s insecurities. And now there is a deeper fear. CNAM helps them in way the average person can’t.
julie cavacco
Participating poet
Their (my maternal grandparents) experiences as refugees of the European holocaust and as immigrants in the US are strong, formative elements at the core of who I am. And that is why I am participating again in the 30 Poems in November fundraiser for the Center for New Americans.
Anita Gallers
Participating poet
Center for New Americans has helped so many people over the years to learn English and on their path to citizenship. Federal funds are no longer available. Please help them stay on their feet by any donation, small or large.
lee desrosiers
Participating poet
Working at Center for New Americans (CNA), I clearly see the beautiful impact that CNA has on immigrant students and clients. If I can help lessen others’ burdens, it will be worth it.
kayla mason
Participating poet
Millions of immigrants live in the United States, some with approval, and others crossed the border because of circumstances beyond their control. They are part of the rich fabric that makes America beautiful. This page is designed to share poetry in both English and Spanish that exhibits the importance of living in a society that welcomes immigrants, in addition demonstrate the reality of being ethnically diverse in a homogeneous world.
darlene elias
Participating poet
As the Director of Finance for the Franklin/Hampshire Career Center (now known as MassHire Franklin/Hampshire), I was responsible for monitoring DESE funds that passed through the Career Center to CNA. How wonderful to learn about this amazing agency serving immigrants and refugees and to affirm their fiscal soundness and programmatic innovations.
Elsa Phillippi Cline
Participating poet
I have been volunteering with refugee and immigrant families for the past three years, and found it to be both essential and gratifying work. But in light of the funding cuts to refugee resettlement programs and the unprecedented assault against people’s democratic rights, personal and financial help is needed more than ever.
julie wittes-schlack
Participating poet
As a perennial participant in this fundraiser, I love knowing the power of poetry to inspire, provoke deep thought, and help make positive change. As a longtime volunteer at CNAM, I put my time and money behind the cause of helping recent immigrants become productive members of our community.
jayne pearl
Participating poet
Please join me again this year to support The Center for New Americans in Northampton, MA as we band together and write a poem each day in the month of November. Donate through my page or better yet, start your own fundraising page and write with us!
sarah rossmassler
Participating poet
For many years, I’ve participated in this event, even though asking for donations is a challenge. But I do it because the Center for New Americans is an important local resource for new residents who need a helping hand in establishing themselves.
christine mirabal
Participating poet
Teaching ESOL in Holyoke taught me about the people who struggle to learn a new language, new customs, new cultures, new ways of integrating into a new country. What amazing people!
alice barrett
Participating Poet
Welcome to our 17th Write-a-thon!Please support me in writing and raising in support of immigrants. What kind of community do we want to be? I vote for inclusive. Please support me in supporting Center for New Americans so we stay that way!
laurie millman
Center for New americans executive Director, Participating Poet
Well, after thinking about participating in this fundraiser for many years, I’m finally getting my act together and committing to it. Seems like a particularly good year for it. Please consider donating generously to the Center for New Americans and their vital work assisting our neighbors.
laurel turk
Participating Poet
It’s poetry season! We write poems, we read poems, we support immigrants working to improve their lives and contribute to the community. Thank you for joining me in this effort: 30 Poems In November.
tamara kaplan
Participating Poet
This year, more than any other, I’m thinking about the importance of speech. Free speech, my speech, your speech, all kinds of speech. In whatever beautiful language you embrace. You may not live in western Massachusetts, but you can help so many beautiful folks here who are working hard to be a part of our community. And they, like you, have something to say.
kathryn levesque
Participating Poet
Your contribution will help “new Americans” learn English – enabling them to make their way in society and life. 30 Poems is a way to help resilient people learn English, and is also a fun way to stimulate the poetry brain. Boy, does mine need exercise.
Peter bryant
Participating Poet
I firmly believe that immigrants add immeasurably to our communities. Both immigrants, Chili-hot-dog (long gone) and I tried always to provide a warm welcome. Chili with her kindness and tail-wags, and I with a smile and an invitation. But not everyone can wag a tail, which makes the work the Center for New Americans (CNA) provides so important.
kester warlow-harry
Participating Poet
Your contribution—whether it’s $5, $40 or $200—serves an excellent organization, one that meets immigrants where they are and helps them day-by-day to reach their goals: new language skills, an education, a job, the means to support their family, and the opportunity to give back to the country that welcomed them in a time of need.
patricia cosby
Participating Poet