This book describes a specific program for teaching and mentoring expressive writing by at-risk youth-a program that can generate transformative change in the teens, and generate significant new satisfactions for you. When young people write personally and creatively, it helps them to overcome challenges in their lives. They feel better, think more clearly, are more self-confident, and are better able to relate to others, including their helpers. This personal creative process is enriching and enlivening for everyone. It brings emotional clarity and meaning to everyone. It brings closeness, in addition to learning and growth.Welcome to the Pongo Teen Writing Method.

Editorial Review Board
Series Overview
Foreword
Preface
1. Childhood Trauma and the Benefits of Writing
2. Pongo, Openness, and a Unique Joy
3. The Special Role of the Writing Mentor
4. Poetry as the Expressive Medium
5. The Pongo Approach to Teaching Poetry
6. A Model Pongo Writing Project
7. Keeping Everyone Safe
8. Introducing Poetry to Youth
9. Overview of the One-on-One Process
10.Taking Dictation
11. Improvising Poetic Structures
12. Using Fill-in-the-Blank Activities
13. Overview of the Group Process
14. The Challenges of Group Process
15. Publishing Teen Poetry
Epilogue: Next Steps
References