non - profit
By Mandy Eve-Barnett The Writer’s Foundation of Strathcona County (WFSC) was formed by six members in 2001 and became incorporated in 2005. Throughout the 16 years of operation, the non-profit has maintained its mandate to provide support for writers any age, at any stage of their writing careers. This simple yet focused directive keeps the WFSC on track every year allowing the group to contribute back to the community whenever possible. Over the years, the group has introduced new and improved ways to connect with our local, and not so local, writing community. Membership fees are only $20 per year. Fundraising efforts organized by volunteers from the WFSC and sponsorship and/or grant monies are invested in programs and services open to not only our members but the community at large. We were honoured to receive the Pride of Strathcona Award in 2011, in celebration of our contributions to the community in the category of Arts, Culture & Heritage.
Writing Opportunities The WFSC proudly supports young writers by referring them to workshops and camps geared toward young writers. It is our intent to continue to encourage and support young writers with an eye to the future sustainability of the WFSC - today’s young writers are our leaders. We have held an annual writing contest (three years) for children from 4 to 12 years. It encourages youth to write and has been successful. In light of this the Foundation is publishing an anthology of the submitted stories.
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Author Mandy Barnett and Glenda Sheard
Monthly Writing Circle sharing meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month – year-round – at the Sherwood Park library. In light of COVID, we have utilized virtual access for members and non-members to join these meetings. Information for all meetings can be obtained through social media, including our website and Facebook page. Membership is not required to attend. We welcome diverse writing styles and give constructive critique as well as exercises to flex our writing muscles with prompts, discussions on a variety of writing related subjects as well as giving members the opportunity to network. Registration is through our website. Our other monthly meeting is Poets in the Park, held on the third Wednesday of each month and is currently held online. It offers poets and anyone interested in this discipline to share their work, learn about the craft and network. To join the meeting, RSVP on the website calendar to register your attendance and a link will be emailed prior to the meeting. The Foundation also offers monthly creative writing workshops on the last Saturday of every month. These workshops cover a multitude of writing subjects and include writing exercises. Currently the meetings are online, and registration is through the website.
