An after school program teaching kids how to creatively release emotions through writing

Rhyme and Release is a program to help kids release the frustrations of life through creative writing. In our communities young people are speaking out about their frustrations through their actions, with random acts of violence and in rebelling against authority figures such as parents, teachers and even police. Kids don’t have a safe venue to express their true feelings in fear of being ridiculed by friends or family which makes them internalize problems which is like a kettle over a fire building up pressure until they blow. Rhyme and Release will teach kids how to take their anger and frustration out in a song rather than taking it out on another person. Rhyme and Release will show kids that when you put words in the right format people listen and they can change the world through writing.

Children who attend Rhyme and Release will gain the confidence that will help them express their true feelings and emotions. Peer pressure has so much power in the lives of our children because they are afraid to express how they really feel when drugs, gangs and sex confront them. Rhyme and Release will teach them how to feel secure in who they are and what they believe so when they are confronted by peer pressure the will feel no pressure, because they will know themselves and be able to express themselves and what they believe. Rhyme and Release will help children identify the problems in their lives and communities and help them work on resolutions for the problems all in a creative writing format. Children after completing Rhyme and Release will have completed a song or poem that will be recorded and preformed live. Rhyme and Release will help children release their frustrations, and rhyme about resolutions that will build a positive identity and give them the courage to stand by that identity.