Jax Poetry Fest is an annual event presented by Hope at Hand, Inc.
Every April, in celebration of National Poetry Month, Jax Poetry Fest works to inspire community-based poetry projects and spark a love for language and creative expression in Northeast Florida. Designed to engage the community, the poetry programming of Hope at Hand is a unique arts and culture experience for Jacksonville.
During Jax Poetry Fest, spoken word performances, poetry slams, youth poetry contests, and a variety of workshops are offered at no cost to the public. Funding from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville,City of Jacksonville, the Poetry Foundation, and the Florida Division of Arts and Culture help Northeast Florida to get involved with poetry.
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About Hope at Hand, Inc.
Hope At Hand, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides art and poetry sessions to vulnerable and at-risk youth populations. Using poetry, creativity, art and therapeutic approaches, we facilitate healing and personal growth for children and adolescents.
Being a teen is tough — and for many at-risk youth, navigating the path to adulthood feels overwhelming. At Hope at Hand, we use poetry to create a safe space for building confidence, self-esteem, and vision for change. Our programs are thoughtfully designed to help youth overcome barriers with independent wellness strategies and authentic self-reflection. Each session prioritizes joy and success, providing positive experiences that many of these youth rarely encounter.
Our Goals
1
Offer experiences that focus on the sustaining merits of language & poetry
2
Teach youth to actively respond to language & poetry while connecting with their actions, feelings & emotions
3
Increase community building through self-awareness, confidence & self-esteem
Our Objectives
Connect with youth who don’t readily trust adults
Hope at Hand fosters positive relationships with at-risk youth through poetry, creating safe spaces to process emotions and explore choice and change. By analyzing behavior patterns, we help youth identify alternatives to reactive responses in even the most challenging situations.
Increase arts opportunities for youth in low income areas
Studies show that students in low socioeconomic residential areas who are engaged in a high level of arts enrichment are more likely to attend some college. Hope at Hand provides poetry lessons as outreach programming for youth who are unable to leave a residential facility and in-house for those who can access transportation.
Encourage a positive attitude through poetry & problem-solving through creative thinking
Traditional educational evaluations don’t measure creativity, yet educators spend most of their time focused on tested curriculum objectives. Hope at Hand taps into students' natural curiosity and creativity to help them process difficult life experiences, release negative emotions, and move toward healthier thinking and choices.
Increase community building through soft-skills development
Life skills like active listening, communication, self-awareness, and confidence are essential for long-term success, yet employers often note that youth lack these "soft skills." Hope at Hand integrates teamwork, communication, cultural awareness, and diversity into every lesson to support holistic personal growth.