Western Massachusetts Writing Project Honored by Library of Congress

The Western Massachusetts Writing Project (WMWP) is one of 15 organizations being honored this year by the Library of Congress for its implementation of best practices in literacy promotion.

WMWP is a local site of the National Writing Project, sponsored by the department of English and College of Humanities and Fine Arts. WMWP provides professional development and literacy leadership programs by teachers for teachers.

The Literacy Awards honor organizations doing exemplary, innovative and replicable work. They spotlight the need for communities worldwide to unite in working for universal literacy.

“We are delighted to accept this generous Library of Congress Literacy Award,” said Jennifer Murphy, WMWP co-director of youth and family programs. “This award will allow us to continue expanding our youth programs both at UMass Amherst and at the Springfield Armory.”

For five summers, WMWP and the Springfield Armory National Historic Site have co-hosted free summer camps for Springfield students at the Armory, enabling diverse youth to access primary sources and understand their community’s story.

WMWP’s Youth Writing Adventure invites students and educators to UMass’s campus annually for a creative writing day. Young people experience college life and have opportunities to share their work with peers and eventually publish. WMWP also offers week-long summer Youth Writing Workshops that include writing, learning and visiting campus venues.