Voices UnBroken is a Bronx-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing under-heard members of the community- primarily youth ages 12-24-with the tools and opportunity for creative self expression. Please watch the video above where Victoria (Tory) Sammartino, Voices UnBroken’s Founder, reads two touching poems while accepting the Petra Fellowship in 2012. This will inspire you and help you understand Voices UnBroken's mission.
Voices UnBroken's Board of Directors is excited to announce the kick-off of our Strong Voices 2015 Campaign! Funds raised through the campaign will go to facilitate the smooth transition of leadership from our Founder to our next Executive Director & we are already nearly a quarter of the way to our goal of $70k. My personal goal is to raise at least $3K. I have been involved with Voices UnBroken for almost 15 years! I participated in a creative writing workshops at Tory’s studio apartment/office in high school and was then hired as the organization’s first staff, and was invited to join the Board during college. I now serve as Board President.
Voices UnBroken has grown from a tiny grassroots organization to a nationally respected community arts organization serving over 600 participants each year in juvenile justice, foster care and residential treatment facilities as well as young people in the adult criminal system on Rikers Island.
Tory has committed her incredible talent, passion and phenomenal skill to building this organization from the ground up. However, she has decided that it is time for the organization to benefit from new
leadership and for her to focus her career outside of Voices UnBroken.
The Impact
I know first-hand the impact Voices UnBroken can have, Voices UnBroken helped me find my voice and empowered me to own my story. They gave me the tools for expression and made it possible for me to apply for - and receive - enough scholarships for a full ride to Columbia University.See below what some of our participants are saying:
- 91% say that what they learned will be useful in the future.
- 86% said their workshop helped them think about their goals for the future.
- 80% reported the workshops helped them understand what they're reading.
- 80% said the workshop helped with their writing.
- 24% changed their attitude about reading &
- 30% increased how often they read!
