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P:EAR – CASE STUDY
“Homeless Youth Discovers the Power of Positive Relationships”

Freelance Writing

“Peter’s writing is as heart-felt as it is clear in vision. He was able to capture the core qualities of p:ear in ways that surprised me.”

—Pippa Arend, Development Director, p:ear

Pippa Arend of p:ear

Peter’s writing is as heart-felt as it is clear in vision. He was able to capture the core qualities of p:ear in ways that surprised me, in that he immediately understood not only the primary mission but also the subtle hopes and goals that we have for the homeless youth we serve. He skillfully and with seeming effortlessness captured the tension inherent in our program, between our efforts to create a safe and nurturing space and how we create scaffolded systems of support to actively push youth as needed. We are grateful for the elegance and clarity of his writing.

Pippa Arend Development Director, p:ear May 6, 2015

Client: p:ear is a nonprofit organization working with homeless youth, ages 15-25, in Portland, Oregon.

Project Description: Write a case study showcasing the success story of a homeless youth who experienced positive life change through participation in p:ear’s programs.

A Quote

“Even to someone uninitiated in the typical aesthetic of a homeless youth center, the vibe in p:ear is strikingly unexpected. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, yet with an almost palpable energy of creative focus. Sitting at one table you might see a couple of kids playing a board game, at another you might find someone reading a book from p:ear’s small but thoughtfully appointed library, while at an easel nearby yet another young person might be squinting, brush in hand, at a painting in progress.”

The Inside Scoop

Like so many nonprofit organizations, p:ear’s work largely defies quantification.

Sure, they can show how many meals they’ve provided, how many field trips they’ve run, how many GEDs they’ve helped homeless kids earn, and on and on…

But that’s not really the point, is it?

Organizations like p:ear transform lives. Capturing the vitality and significance of that fact furnishes the real challenge—and the real joy—of writing for nonprofits.

My Favorite Part

Interviewing a shockingly well-read homeless youth about the importance of education, art, and recreation.

See the results:
(Currently in design phase—coming soon…)