By Jamie Cowan | Early Childhood Director
This year, through Write Your Story (WYS – pronounced “wise”), we supported 668 young children and 307 educators across 11 early childhood sites in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. WYS provides a unique set of resources and services that boost learning while increasing an essential ingredient in daily life—JOY. Designed to engage young learners in creative, arts-rich learning, WYS also uplifts the adults who support their growth, with a systemic approach that builds community and capacity.
Amplify Us is rooted in one belief: everyone deserves to be heard. Through WYS, we saw that belief come alive. Across 41 classrooms, children—many of whom are learning English, have identified special needs, or face barriers due to poverty—had the chance to express themselves, be seen, and shine.
One classroom teacher shared: “The sessions with different people and their way of teaching really brought kids out of their shells. I see them more confident now, which will help in kindergarten next year.”
At a center in Silver Spring, dance artist Kelly King returned weeks after the end of her residency for a family performance. Children squealed with joy, rushed to hug her, and proudly pointed to their artwork on the walls. Many of these children are not yet fluent in English—but their joy, pride, and connection were unmistakable.
In Germantown, teaching artist and cognitive scientist Marsha Goodman-Wood taught rhythm and literacy through songs that helped children find their voices and build language skills. At another site, visual artist Jamie Cowen introduced children to sensory-based, multi-media artmaking—giving them new ways to communicate, reflect, and be recognized.
We also invested in adults: delivering professional development for educators, family engagement sessions, and 390 Art Kits—one for every child, family, and staff member—to ensure that access and belonging extended beyond the classroom.
Every hug, every proud finger pointing at artwork, every burst of song from a child who once stayed silent—that’s Amplify Us in action.
Because of you, children are not just participating. They’re leading. They’re being heard. And they’re discovering the power of their own voice.
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
