Rios Writing Workshop Dream Fund

Hello! My name is Rios de la Luz and I am pursuing my dream of teaching writing workshops starting this fall. I have always loved reading and writing and learning how to get better at both. Storytelling has followed me through my teen years, into my twenties, and now my thirties. Writing saved me. Then, writing workshops saved me. I would not be the same creative person had I not been pushed by teachers and mentors who saw more and knew I had stories sitting in me, waiting to be told. I want to give this gift to young people. I want to push them to be unafraid to write about their lived experiences. As a queer Xicana and Chapina woman, writing my truths has helped me better explore my identity and reclaim my bodily autonomy. These funds will help me get ready for two classes I will be co-teaching in September and pay for my travel expenses to get to Portland, Oregon in March to learn from writing mentors.    

This September, I will be co-teaching two writing workshops titled, Cosmicxs: Exploring the History of Our Bodies, with Gris Muñoz. This class is for students from the ages of 16 to 25. We are looking to sponsor  two classes of students (24 total) and help them explore creative non-fiction and fiction. I will be reaching out to students in local high schools, El Paso Community College, and UTEP to find writers interested in participating in the class. Accessibility is important so, I am asking for sponsorships on behalf of the students. Gris and I are both ecstatic to hear stories from the youth in our community and we hope you can help us make this class a reality!

PORTLAND LITERARY TRIP 

In March , I will be traveling to Portland to assist with a Corporeal Writing spring workshop. I will get to sit-in with one of my mentors, Lidia Yuknavitch, and assist in giving feedback to the workshop participants. This is dream come true for me because I look up to Lidia as a writer and a teacher and this gives me the chance to sit down with her and the Corporeal writing team and just learn. I will also be co-teaching a one-day workshop, Magic & the Body, with Stephanie Adams-Santos in a location that is TBD the following week. Stephanie is a phenomenal teacher and another mentor I look up to and will get to have the chance to teach with. Lastly, I will be attending AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Workshop Convention) to network and attend panels on writing. I want to be able to stay in Portland from March 15th until the 31st. 

This trip will be a tremendous help for me in the pursuit of my dream. I want this will all of my little heart and soul and brain. Thank you for reading this. Love and light, Rios 

Cosmicxs Funds breakdown:
Student Sponsorship: $50 per student ($1200 total)
Refreshments and Snacks: $100
Creative Supplies and marketing for class: $150

**Gofundme charges 2.9% for payment processing and .30 cents per donation. We are taking this into account.

Portland Literary Trip breakdown:
Air Travel: $350
Lodging: $400
Food for two weeks: $150
AWP Registration: $150
Rental Car: $200
Gofundme charges: $200 as a cushion