EmpowerED

The Middle and High School Literary Arts and Critical Culture Program

Welcome to our 4-6 week seasonal, year-round creative program, free and open to all middle and high school students, focusing on the creative arts and offering editorial and publishing experience for all participants. Learn and share with our mentors, authors, poets, professors, educators, and graduate students, and join the publishing crew, with a celebration publication in print, podcast, or multimedia showcase at the end of each semester.

Register Here

2025 / 2026 Youth Programming Schedule

*Please note the winter and spring dates/times have changed!

Winter 2026
Tuesdays 7pm-8pm
Jan 13–Feb 10

Spring 2026
Tuesdays 7pm-8pm
Apr 14–May 5

Explore the Work of Our Young Writers and Editors!

Spread the Word

Are you or someone you know a student who would be interested in becoming a creative podcaster and published writer and editor? Share this opportunity by downloading the brochure and/or flyer below!

Download Brochure
2025-2026 Flyer
Printable Flyer

Our Supporters

Logo for "initiative for young writers" with a magnifying glass icon enclosing "FO."
Logo of Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation with a colorful tree and the tagline 'For good. For ever. For all.'
Three books with titles "The Middle Daughter" by Chika Unigwe, "Only and Ever This" by J.A. Tyler, and "Dioramas" by Blair Austin, leaning against stylized black letters "bb." It is the logo for Dzanc Books.
Learn more

Both our Roots & Wings Elementary Workshops and EmpowerED High School Workshops have been brought to you with the generous support of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Find Your Light Foundation, Dzanc Books, and curriculum curation by FO’s Initiative for Young Writers.