The Unbroken Wheat Project 2024
In the summer of 2023, we generated a community outreach project that would give voice and economic power to the between housing, or what people culturally consider "homeless", youth served by Montrose Grace Place. (Info on MGP can be found here to learn more about their work and mission in the Houston area >>> MONTROSE GRACE PLACE - Home)
This project came about through some conversation and connection between the founder, Colin, and Robin Mack over coffee and cake in the neighborhood of Montrose at Empire Cafe. After learning about one another and their roles in serving different aspects of community, a new initiative would take place under pass the salt presse which is the parent nonprofit that houses table//FEAST Literary Magazine and bar//DRINK Reading Series.
Over the course of year one and two, table//FEAST Literary Magazine came to rely on members of Houston's community - especially writers and services that were rendered from the heart and giving spirit. As a means to give back to the writers, The Unbroken Wheat Project would seek to pay these writers back if they were to lead a workshop for writing at Montrose Grace Place for the youth. The idea was then to supply any extra funds outside of paying the writers to give to MGP.
Sadly, this system wasn't cohesive or strong enough to pay back writers and the youth of MGP simultaneously; therefore, it was reset and revamped in 2024 to focus solely on the youth at MGP. Now, Colin visits MGP a few times a month in the late summer and fall paying the homeless youth (who wish to participate) at MGP $20.00 USD per poem that they produce. These youth that receive honoraria will then have their poem(s) published in a zine put together and sold at Zine Fest Houston for the benefit of the youth and Montrose Grace Place. This year may be a small zine due to funding, but we are starting off on the right foot with this impact and outreach project.
We hope in the coming years that this project grows, and self sustains to where homeless youth in Houston can be empowered through poetry.