Who We Are
POW’s Role in Supporting Underserved Communities
POW works to destigmatize reading and writing in underprivileged communities by creating safe, engaging spaces where learning feels creative, relevant, and enjoyable. Over the past four years, we have witnessed a sharp decline in fundamental literacy skills following COVID-19. According to the 2022 NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment, reading and mathematics scores fell across all student groups compared to 2020, with the steepest declines among lower-performing students—many from low-income and marginalized communities.
This reality highlights how fractured communities face greater barriers in meeting academic challenges and overcoming new hardships. Despite efforts by schools and governing bodies, a substantial gap remains in providing adequate support and resources. Contributing factors include:
-
Lack of community trust in organizations that lack lived experience.
-
Too few safe, welcoming spaces where learning feels fun and empowering.
-
Barriers such as transportation issues and inconsistent access to resources.
-
POW seeks to bridge these gaps by designing programs that center joy, creativity, and real-world application, helping participants rebuild critical skills, nurture confidence, and strengthen their voices within the community.
Ink-vest in the future. Donate Now
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Play On Words Goals
Our goal is to close the literacy gap in reading and writing for students living in Louisville’s inner-city zip codes
Short term goal (1-2 years)
Expand access to engaging writing experiences by offering 8–12 creative workshops annually that encourage self-expression, strengthen practical writing skills, and build confidence.
Through partnerships with local organizations, cultural institutions, and community spaces, POW will introduce participants to diverse forms of writing, including storytelling, journaling, poetry, personal reflection, and civic communication.
Our goal is for at least 75% of surveyed participants to report increased confidence in their writing abilities, greater familiarity with writing techniques, or increased motivation to write.
Long term goal (3-7 years)
Establish POW as a sustainable community resource for creative literacy by strengthening partnerships, expanding workshop accessibility, and creating consistent opportunities for underserved populations to engage with writing.
Over the next 3–5 years, POW aims to establish 5–8 recurring community partnerships, develop programming for multiple age groups, and create additional opportunities for emerging writers to share their work.
Through initiatives such as W(h)iny Writing, Book Builder, and Black Paperback, POW will continue building a community where writing is recognized as a valuable tool for creativity, connection, personal development, and cultural preservation.
Short Term goal Resume Workshops
Provide accessible, hands-on resume-writing workshops that help participants recognize their professional strengths, communicate their experiences effectively, and build confidence in presenting themselves to potential employers.
POW aims to facilitate 2–4 career-writing workshops annually, providing participants with practical resources, writing guidance, and opportunities to develop or improve professional materials.
Our goal is for at least 75% of surveyed participants to report increased confidence in communicating their skills and qualifications, with participants leaving workshops with an updated resume, working draft, or personalized improvement plan.
Long term goal Resume Building
Strengthen POW's career-readiness programming by developing sustainable partnerships with workforce organizations, community groups, and educational institutions.
Through expanded resume-writing workshops, professional communication activities, and accessible writing resources, POW will help individuals strengthen the written communication skills needed to pursue employment, educational opportunities, and professional advancement.
Our goal is to establish 2–3 recurring career-readiness partnerships and create a sustainable model for delivering professional writing support to underserved communities.