[Nebeu]

Welcome to our Certification program, and the Pongo Peer Learning Network! We are so excited to support each of you in establishing your proposed poetry programming in the coming months.

All of us at Pongo loved reading about the poetry programming you’ll be creating in your respective communities. But the Pongo Peer Learning Network is a place for you, as certified practitioners, to connect with and learn from one another. As such, why don’t you share a little bit of background about your projects in this thread?

I know everyone will love to hear about the exciting work you’ll be embarking on in the near future!

[Info]

Hello Peers,

My name is Alyssa and I am decided to apply for the certification program after completing my first mentor year with Pongo at a service site in Seattle, WA. During this experience, I discovered a passion and desire to advocate and encourage court-involved youth and help share their stories. I also recently graduated from university in Seattle with a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: Law and a minor in Poetry. I look forward to pulling from my experience volunteering with Pongo as a mentor and my degree to continue doing juvenile criminal justice work and sharing the magic of Pongo in Brisbane, Australia, where I will be relocating to in January 2026. The standards for juvenile detention there are very poor and the detention centers and legal support for youth are severely lacking. At this time I would like to conduct a Pongo project in coordination with a youth advocacy center in Brisbane and/or at a detention center there. I look forward to hearing Pongo stories and missions from you in this chat!

[Info]

Hello Peers,

My name is [Your Name], and I’m excited to be part of the Pongo Certification Program and this learning community. I fell in love with poetry during an internship at a juvenile facility, where I witnessed how just one piece of paper with a few honest lines could shift something deep inside a young person. It wasn’t just writing, it was release, reflection, and the start of healing.

Since then, I’ve continued using Pongo poetry with youth who are currently involved with the probation department and those who have experienced incarceration. Each session reminds me how powerful it can be to offer space for voice, truth, and emotional safety.

This September, I’m planning to launch a new 8-week Pongo project focused on change, resiliency, and opportunities. My goal is to support participants in exploring who they’ve been, who they are becoming, and the choices that help them step into something new. I’m looking forward to deepening this work and learning from all of you.

I can’t wait to hear about your stories, your projects, and the ways you’re bringing Pongo’s mission to life in your communities!

[ashleyskartvedt]

Thank you, Alyssa and Lilian for sharing about your respective ideas and projects! I look forward to hearing how these bloom in the near future.

[Info]

Hi all!

My name is Kendall and I am excited to be a part of this learning community. I joined the Pongo Certification Program to continue an exploration of how poetry and writing can be implemented in one’s healing journey as well as gain Certification itself to support an afterschool program at Washington Middle School this upcoming academic year. I have found poetry to be quite healing in my own life and journey, whether it’s reading, writing, or listening – I continue to find myself incorporating it into my own practices, and moments of reflection and discovery.

My background is in psychology, sociology, and school counseling.  Prior to my current role at SU –  I did work with FareStart, Teen Feed, and Changemakers at Garfield HS. Right now I work as a program manager on the Seattle University Youth Initiative and will be going into my second year at Washington, the first day of school is this week! We have programs at Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Garfield High School, and Yesler Terrace, as well – all focused on cradle to career support for families in the community.

Our plan is to launch a pongo poetry afterschool program in the Spring through the Redhawk Academic Mentoring Program in collaboration with Husky Out of School Time (HOST) at Washington Middle School. We also do one-on-one mentoring during the school day, on elective periods, and I am looking into how pongo approaches and writing exercises can be infused into our daily mentoring sessions as well. We serve 50 students each year with 25 college mentors coming down from SU weekly to connect with their mentee in our space located on site at the school. Our Initiative is focused on love, joy, connection, and liberation.

Truly enjoyed reading each of your stories and projects, and look forward to connecting more!

 

[Info]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hi All,</p>
I am Debbie. I completed the certification program earlier this year but wanted support in maintaining the dream to delve more deeply into Pongo.

I am a counselling psychologist in Jamaica (a community psychologist at heart) and have been a long time believer in the arts as integral to mental health. I do find though that it is hard to live this belief and passion without support and mentorship.

Last month, I did done one poetry group at a community centre for queer young adults (mostly young adults) and it was well received. We wrote Cinquains and worked with a poem, how to open your heart by Jeff Foster. I had one person ask to do a one on one after and so hope to do a dictation this month in addition to setting up a group where I work. I also hope to do more groups at the centre.

There is so much more I could say! But for now, I’ll just say that I am happy to be here and to journey with you all.

 

[ashleyskartvedt]

Thanks for sharing with us Kendall and Debbie! It’s so great to hear more about your background, Kendall, and about the workshop you led last month, Debbie! Looking forward to hearing more during the second workshop on the 18th!

Warmly,

Ashley

[ashleyskartvedt]

Also, thanks for sharing the poem by Jeff Foster. Here’s a link I found to it if anyone wants to check it out.

[Info]

Hello everyone!

My name is Orfa, and I completed the certification program previous and have returned for the maintenance program. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and work with the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) population. Most of my clients have been previously incarcerated or are formerly foster youth and have experienced childhood trauma and systemic oppression. Writing is such a powerful tool to use for healing, which is why I am so fond of the Pongo method. My clients have been able to process trauma through their writing, and they have expressed a preference for Pongo as a modality during our sessions. I look forward to hearing all about your projects!

[Author]

Posts