Every day, we see students struggle. In iWRITE’s home community of Houston, and its online community across the U.S., these students are living in some the country’s lowest income neighborhoods. In addition, they’re faced with a standardized education that offers limited opportunities for individual growth. Writing skills are critical for any student who hopes to move beyond their economic limitations to conquer their frustrations and discover success in any subject.
Since 2009, iWRITE has developed curriculums that build student confidence and spark students’ imaginations. With creative writing/illustration workshops and publishing opportunities, students move beyond the standardized classroom, learn to express their ideas, and discover their voice.
Children’s author Melissa Williams Murphy originally founded the organization as “READ3Zero,” using her background in psychology and counseling to promote literacy among Houston’s at-risk youth. During classroom visits, her writing and publishing exercises resonated with students and motivated her to re-focus the organization’s mission on high-impact writing activities.
READ3Zero became iWRITE in 2016, and has used its after-school workshops, camps, journals, a writing and illustration contest, and mentorship programs to help students develop their own creative writing and art skills and experience the feeling of success that comes with becoming an author and illustrator.
Through its annual writing contest, iWRITE produces an anthology called I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids, encouraging young writers to submit their stories, artwork, and poetry. In 2019, iWRITE and the Houston Public Library system began working together as librarians from across the city served as judges for the contest. Each year, the judges ultimately select 100 students for professional publication, and those students are honored at an annual book-signing event.
Students also have an opportunity to write for iWRITER Magazine. Created by the iWRITE Youth Club, the quarterly publication gives students real-world leadership experience by planning each publication, overseeing production deadlines, editing stories, and publishing the magazine.
The iWRITE team includes Founder and CEO Melissa Williams Murphy, Program Manager Phuong Ha, and Events and Special Projects Manager Nicole Gautier.
Melissa is a frequent speaker on literacy and has consulted for more than fifty school districts across the country. She has published twelve children’s books ranging from picture books to middle school grade readers. Melissa is a regular correspondent on FOX and ABC news, where she champions the need to keep reading, writing and creativity inside the home and classroom with a balanced amount of electronic usage.
Phuong first joined the staff in 2012 as an intern, and in 2016, her passion for literacy led to a permanent role developing and expanding writing programs. With a B.A. in English and Communications from the University of Houston (with specializations in Literature and Broadcast Journalism) Phuong has helped develop the popular “i” The Guy curriculum and classroom resources for teachers.
Nicole first served iWRITE’s as a volunteer on its luncheon committee in 2013. But with her background in meeting planning and office management, it was an easy decision to recruit her to join the staff in a full-time role managing operations and events in 2016. Nicole is dedicated to giving children an outlet to share their thoughts and feelings, and watching them in turn learn about themselves and become confident individuals.
President– Elaine Balagia Croucher
Treasurer – Carlos Rubio
Director – Arielle Lawson
Director – Arun Mani
Director – Wendy Tilford
Director – Debbie Pakzaban
Director – Patricia Pratt
