Warrior Writers workshop Killeen, TX

 Under the Hood Cafe & Operation Recovery Present:

Warrior Writers invites you to join fellow soldiers, veterans, military families, artists, and community members for a weekend of art-making and wellness workshops. The forum will feature writing and art-making workshops, opening a space for dialogue about the experiences of soldiers and the Ft. Hood community. The forum will also include seminars exploring local support and resources for soldiers and veterans. Soldiers’ and veterans’ artwork will be showcased at a poetry performance and exhibit on Saturday, December 3rd. *The forum is free of charge.  Registration forms for Veterans & Soldiers

Registration for Military Families and Community Members

SCHEDULE: Wed. Nov. 30: 7-9 PM, Working with Veterans 101 Workshops, 3701 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Austin, TX

Thur. Dec. 1: Ribs 'n' Rights BBQ, Under the Hood Cafe, 17 College St, Killeen, TX

Fri. Dec. 2: 7 PM - Dinner & Socializing, Under the Hood Cafe, 17 College St, Killeen, TX Sat. Dec. 3: 12-5 PM- Workshops, 8pm - Poetry Performance & Art Show, Under the Hood Cafe, 17 College St, Killeen, TX Sun. Dec. 4: 12-5 PM- Workshops & Wellness services, Under the Hood Cafe, 17 College St, Killeen, TX * Food will be provided including: Dinner: Fri & Sat, brunch: Sun and light snacks throughout.

Veterans & Soldiers: Warrior Writers provides veterans and service members with the opportunity to share and create with each other in a relaxed, healthy and safe environment. Through Warrior Writers, we as veterans and service members begin to feel empowered and know that our perspective and voice is important. The art-making process has been a crucial step for many of us to heal through the deconstruction of our own experiences and the construction of something new in the form of art, text, and song.

Warrior Writers participant Eli Wright says, “…through Warrior Writers I have been able to slowly begin to find my words again and share my experiences and what happened over there. It's been a healing experience.”

Military Families & Community Members:  We are eager to welcome military families and friends because we know that veterans’ and soldiers’ issues affect our whole community. Military families and community members are encouraged to participate in writing workshops, and discussions to connect with each other and share their stories and experiences as a community.

Alternative Healing Practitioners & Mental Health Professionals:  (therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, yoga instructors, reiki practitioners, etc.) If you are so generously able to offer a few hours to donate your services to our veterans and soldiers please fill out the allies registration form and indicate what services you are able to offer. Before you work with the vets and soldiers, it is strongly recommended that you attend an allies training in Killeen or Austin.

PROGRAM: Workshops/Activities/Resources

WORKSHOPS: Right to heal workshop on self-care for organizers & volunteers This is a closed workshop.

Sharing, brainstorming and learning strategies to improve and sustain mental health and wellness for organizers at UTH and in the Operation Recovery Campaign. We will make concrete plans for how to implement healing and wellness practices into our organizing work and daily lives. These plans will include developing ways to be supportive and accountable to each other and maintaining healthy boundaries and environments in the UTH work space and living space.       

WW Writing Workshop (for vets & soldiers)

Our workshops are designed to assist participants to share stories, opinions, and ideas, using prompts to enable participants to do productive writing/reflecting/story-telling/art-making on the spot where we learn by doing. Prompts and discussions cover a variety of military issues and experiences. A highlight for many of us is having a space to air pent-up thoughts with others who understand and a sense of empowerment in the ability to tell our own stories. By creating an open and accepting atmosphere, we build a community of support. The workshop is for any soldier or veteran regardless of your experiences with writing, combat, art, deployment, etc.

WW Writing Workshop (for military family & community members)

A creative writing workshop for military family and community members. Participants will help build a supportive environment to explore and share their stories, memories, dreams and ideas through creative expression. Prompts and discussions will cover a variety of issues and experiences relating to living in a military community, deployment and homecoming of loved ones, relationships, supporting each other as military family members, healing, and growth etc. No writing or artistic experience necessary.

Warrior Writers Facilitator Training

Interested in possibly running a writing workshop in your area? Maybe looking to do closer work with soldiers and veterans in the future? Warrior Writers founder Lovella Calica will lead a training for soldiers, veterans and community members interested in facilitating workshops. Participants who do not have much experience with the military community must attend an allies training before attending this workshop. The format is the same as a standard Warrior Writers workshop, but with added tips, conversations and a “Do It Yourself” guide. Attendance to this workshop does not authorize one to lead workshops using the WW name, but is a stepping stone in the process.

Working with Veterans 101- an arts-based workshop for civilian allies (for community members in Austin & Killeen)

This workshop is centered around building healthy relationships between soldiers and veterans and civilians. We’ll utilize creative writing/art-making, dialogue, participatory learning and active listening processes, as well as, the artwork of veterans  and soldiers to guide our discussions. Some areas of learning & exploration will include: soldiers’ and veterans’ issues and experiences, Post Traumatic Stress, guidance on positive and healthy ways of engaging veterans, and an orientation on how to support and work with soldiers and veterans as artistic collaborators, service providers,community members, etc.

Additional workshops may include: Music, Instrument Making, Visual Arts & Print Making

Warrior Writers Poetry Performance and Art Show  Saturday Dec. 3rd 8pm @ Under the Hood Cafe An evening of poetry and writing by Ft. Hood Soldiers and the community and an art gallery showcasing their art work at Under the Hood Cafe.

Resources provided at the forum:

*Wellness and alternative healing practitioners providing on site services, free of charge to soldiers, vets and community members

*Mental Health professionals will be on site to provide counseling and support as needed and to make referrals.