Three Ways to Support The Writing Den

Due to health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, our in person monthly den events in New York, San Diego, and Seattle are on temporary pause until further notice (see details below). At this time, we are grateful for those on the front lines who bravely risk their lives to save, protect, and inform those in and outside of their communities. These include many of our Den Partners, who continue providing food, shelter, and additional essential services to the homeless and others in need. 

Despite the pandemic's size, it has been no match against handwriting's power to stay connected, offer help, give thanks, and provide hope. Please consider taking a moment to 'put pen to paper' and writing someone who matters from those fighting the virus and racial injustice to those you miss and love. Also supporting The Writing Den and our Partners.

*Virtual Dens are taking place monthly with selected partners who are offering online and/or in person services to guests. Those open to the public and guest and/or volunteer attendance are noted below with registration information. These include New York Public Library/Muhlenberg Library and San Diego Public Library/Central Library (public/10 guests) and Mary's Place Women's Day Center (private/1 volunteer).

Over 100,000 homeless need help to re-establish relationships, pursue work opportunities, and create the possibility of sustained housing in New York, Seattle, and San Diego (#1, #3 and #5 U.S. cities with the largest concentration of homelessness). Volunteering with The Writing Den may be one of the best ways to help with these efforts and make a difference.

We partner with social service organizations that support the homeless with monthly dens at the listed locations and times. Volunteering at one or sharing your digital experience are welcomed!

Den Members personally assist those in need to write cards and letters at our partner locations, listed below. Experience with homeless or nonprofit organizations ideal, but not required.

Den Leader, Jill Higson, Executive Director, Co-Founder

City Relief at Salvation Army New York City Temple Corps*

132 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011, in Chelsea

First Friday each month, 12:00pm-2:00pm

*Due to COVID-19 and City Relief offering outdoor social services only, April 2020 through 2021  

  dens will remain on pause until our indoor events are safe to hold.

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen*

296 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001, in Chelsea

Second Wednesday each month, 10:30am-12:30pm

*Due to COVID-19 and Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen offering outdoor boxed meal distribution only, March  

  2020 through 2021 dens will remain on pause or until indoor events are safe to hold.

New York Public Library/Muhlenberg Library*

209 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011, in Chelsea

Last Wednesday each month, 1:00pm-2:00pm (Virtual/Public/10 Guests)

*Due to COVID-19 and New York Public Library closing all locations in March 2020 and offering   

  mobile/online services, monthly virtual den will take place from February 2021 on. Register here.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe*

126 Crosby Street, New York, NY 10012, in Soho

Last Saturday each month, 2:00pm-4:00pm

*Due to COVID-19 and Housing Works Bookstore Cafe closed to the public, March 2020 through 2021 dens 

  will remain on pause or until indoor events are safe to hold.

Den Members personally assist those in need to write cards and letters at our Partner locations, listed below. Experience with homeless or nonprofit organizations ideal, but not required.

Den Leader, Christian Michaels, Treasurer, Co-Founder

Alpha Project Bridge Shelter

1575 Newton Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113, in East Village

Second Saturday each month, 9:45am-11:45am

Ladle Fellowship at First Presbyterian Church*

320 Date Street, San Diego, CA 92101, in Bankers Hill

Last Sunday each month, 1:30pm-3:30pm

*Due to COVID-19 and Ladle Fellowship providing outdoor boxed meal distribution only, March 2020  

  through 2021 dens will remain on pause or until indoor events are safe to hold.

San Diego Public Library/Central Library*

330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, in Downtown

Second Tuesday each month, 12:00pm-1:00pm (Virtual/Public/10 Guests) 

*Due to COVID-19 and San Diego Public Library offering guests limited indoor services with events  

  remaining on pause, virtual dens will be held June through December 2021. Register here.

Den Members personally assist those in need to write cards and letters at our Partner locations, listed below. Experience with homeless or nonprofit organizations ideal, but required.

Den Leader, Kay Stelter, Volunteer

Mary’s Place Women’s Day Center*

1830 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, in Downtown

Third Thursday each month, 9:00am-10:00am (Virtual/Private/1 Volunteer)

*Due to COVID-19 and Mary's Place Women's Day Center offering limited indoor partner/volunteer      

  programs, virtual dens will be held July 2020 through December 2021. Create Account/Register here.

Seattle's Union Gospel Mission Men's Shelter* 

318 2nd Avenue, Extension South, Seattle, WA, 98104, in Downtown

Last Monday each month, 2:00pm-4:00pm

*Due to COVID-19 and Seattle's Union Gospel Mission Men's Shelter temporarily pausing all live guest  

  programs, March 2020 through 2021 dens will remain on pause or until indoor events are safe to hold.

Silver Glen Senior Cooperative

1750 152nd Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA, 98007, in Overlake

First Wednesday each month, 1:00pm-2:00pm with Postcard Group

Posting and responding to our Facebook and Instagram fans (approximately 5 hours a week). Please include your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Overseeing website copy/photo updates and news (approximately 5 hours per week). Please include your resume or LinkedIn profile.