The Butler MFA has created an initiative to bring writing for wellness into the Indianapolis community through outreach programs. In the trenches of writing and revising, MFAs often take the cathartic nature of writing for granted, but in wellness writing groups across the city, MFAs are igniting the passion for writing and sharing its therapeutic powers.
Championed by MFA program director, Hilene Flanzbaum, the writing for wellness effort now includes programs at four sites, has been the focus of two conversations@efroymson events, and now will be the focus of a summer course taught by Flanzbaum.
The course is a three-week practicum meeting June 6th-24th with a flexible schedule including class hours and experience hours. A typical week will meet twice as a group for instruction, sharing experiences and ideas, training, and development. Additionally, students will participate in writing for wellness sessions both as a leader and an observer.
Potential writing groups include adolescents at Riley Children Hospital, health employees at Eskenazi hospital, and Seniors at long-term care residences. Additional groups are currently being pursued and will be added.
Andrea Boucher, a volunteer at the Eskenazi writing for wellness group is registered for the summer course. “I’m taking Hilene’s class as a way to learn more about the nuances of leading a writing for wellness group,” she said. “One thing I find most helpful is talking and collaborating with others on what bests energizes and inspires a group of not-necessarily-writers to feel creative enough to write something meaningful to them. It’s a bit like a treasure hunt, but when you see that click — that universal expression of joy at being able to connect images and feelings to words — the hunt is well worth it. Service work is good for the soul.”
Contact Hilene Flanzbaum if you have questions about the summer course or the writing for wellness initiative at Butler.