Bela was having a difficult time at home. They had been struggling with their parents’ recent divorce and often felt unheard, isolated, and invisible. When they started attending Podium’s after-school program, their journey started similarly to the many other children Podium serves. Struggling with their self-worth, Bela began using writing as a coping strategy. They loved to write poetry, so their Podium mentor gave Bela a journal to express their feelings on the page. That journal contained beautiful, though often painful, musings of Bela’s imagination, wants, and needs. Sometimes, they shared their thoughts with others. Other times, those pages served as a sacred place to hold truths not yet ready to be told. In Podium, Bela experienced a place where their voice truly matters.
This is just one of many stories where Podium youth discover writing. A skill often associated with assignments and homework, writing can also be the catalyst for change in our lives if we let it. Positive youth expression has the power to change our world, heal our wounds, and build a future we can be proud of. Through the power of writing and communication, Podium provides young people with the tools they need to succeed, achieve their goals, and ultimately become the changemakers of tomorrow.
Podium supports middle and high school students by preparing them for success in both school and life. Since the nonprofit’s founding in 2008, Podium has served over 4,500 youth in partnership with over 25 different public schools and youth community centers. Recognizing that academic success is intricately tied to the development of leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience, Podium’s programs take a holistic approach. The mission is simple: empower youth ages 11 to 19 from underserved communities in Richmond, Henrico, Hopewell, and Petersburg, VA, to be confident, capable, and successful writers and communicators. Programs meet weekly in three-month sessions after school and over the summer, and each session ends with a publication of student work. Podium publishes zines every quarter in addition to its annual youth literary journal.
The heart of Podium is its programs. Two flagship offerings are The Teen Scene and Power of the Pen. Both help youth develop and refine their writing and communication skills. Participants not only learn how to speak with confidence but also how to advocate for themselves and their communities. The ability to articulate ideas and concerns is a powerful tool, and Podium equips youth to use this tool effectively, whether in the classroom, on a job interview, or as a voice in the community. Youth prepare for their futures in Prep Your Next Step and in Podium’s summer intensive programs, the Writing Mentorship Project and the Teen Professional Conference. These programs teach young people the principles of leadership and provide them with real world experiences to put those lessons into practice. Many graduates of Podium’s programs have returned to mentor current students, creating a cycle of giving back and reinforcing the community ties that Podium nurtures. In fact, two-thirds of its staff are alumni!
Podium’s vision for the future is one where every young person, no matter their background, can develop the skills and resilience needed to achieve their dreams and create positive change. Best said by alumni Oneisha: “Podium is more than a place where you go just to write. When I first went to Podium, I didn’t go into the room. I kept walking past it thinking, ‘should I go in?’ But when I performed my first piece, I cried afterwards. Podium didn’t criticize me – they asked me how I felt. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and the emotional barriers were removed. Podium is a family. When we get together, there’s always a new person in the room. They may feel shy, so we put ourselves out there to show them there’s no reason to feel like you shouldn’t be here. You are welcome, and this is a safe space where you don’t have to pretend to be somebody you’re not. There are many different personalities at Podium, and we all fit together perfectly, even though we’re not perfect. Podium goes that extra mile to make you smile and make you feel like you belong. That’s because, here at Podium, you do.”
How to Support Podium RVA
Podium is always looking for community experts, volunteers, and financial support for its programs and services. To learn more about Podium and to sign up to donate, volunteer, or attend an upcoming event, visit podiumrva.org.
