Help Bring Renowned Authors to Treasure Valley Classrooms!

“To say that the students at Borah High School simply appreciated the visit from Juan Felipe Herrera would be an understatement…The event reached beyond what a book, computer or worksheet could do, as it brought lessons that were just taught in class to life.” Ellie Webber, teacher at Borah High School

Did you know that Idaho is one of only five states that lack early childhood arts education standards? And one of only six that lack an arts education instructional requirement for high school graduation?

This means that compared to our neighbors, our students are missing out on opportunities that would help them prepare for college and careers and increase their investment and achievement, especially at low-performing schools.

THE CABIN, a center for readers and writers wants to change this, but we need your help matching a $5,000 anonymous donation.

The Cabin's Authors in the Schools Program

The Cabin’s Authors in the Schools program brings our National-Book-Award-Winning, Pulitzer-Prize-Receiving, Other-Glowing-Accolades-Collecting Readings & Conversations authors to classrooms across the Treasure Valley.

During their visits, these authors speak to students about literature and creative writing, but also endurance, motivation, and curiosity. Students also have the opportunity to have conversations (and take selfies!) with the visiting authors. 

Being taken seriously by a famous writer is potentially transformative for anyone. Imagine the impact these interactions have on young people — particularly at-risk young people who aren’t often the beneficiaries of all of the wonderful cultural gifts Boise has to offer. 

"Because we don't have a lot of extracurricular opportunities at our school, I always appreciate when The Cabin shares their visiting authors with us.  It makes the students feel special when these authors come to speak to them and LISTEN to them, too." Christine Murphy, teacher at Marian Pritchett High School

“…I felt very emotionally connected to Herrera’s comments, even though we come from different backgrounds.  His poetry made me realize that there are numerous possibilities for my future, and many involve expressing yourself and using your voice to share your experiences…he related to every student in the audience and tried to actively include them in each of his poems.” Cydney C., student at Borah High School

How you can help!

An anonymous foundation has offered The Cabin $5,000 to send Jesmyn Ward, Colson Whitehead, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Katherine Boo to areas schools if our community can match it with another $5,000.

This means your gift of $25 could help Jesmyn Ward inspire students at the Ada County Juvenile Detention Center to invest in their education.

Your gift of $50 could help Viet Thanh Nguyen show refugee students at Borah High School that they have an important story to share.

Your gift of $100 would let Colson Whitehead show students of color that they, too, could be the Next Big Author.

Your gift of $500 ensures that Katherine Boo can demonstrate the power of journalism to the next generation of writers.

“When you write outside of yourself, when you write about people and places that you know nothing of, you end up reflecting, learning, and healing the things you’ve already done… more than if you wrote with the intent of revealing yourself.  Omalia P., student at Boise High School

Help The Cabin provide Idaho’s students with experiences that enrich their lives and provide these authors the opportunity to connect with our wonderful young people.

"My visit to Borah High School was incredible! I am going to tell you something that’s hard to believe given all the schools I have visited in the last 47 years.  Borah High was the number one! I say this with great respect to all my other dear students and teachers of so many schools throughout the USA. And yet something magnificent, rare and gifted took place in Boise, Idaho. Every single student in every single seat literally was standing up together, so concerned, so filled with inspiration, so filled with joy and intelligence and hope that I felt a collective human dream had come true." Juan Felipe Herrera, U.S. Poet Laureate 

"I’m still thinking about the kids Ada County [Juvenile Detention Center] . . . Basically, it’s life-changing and all the writers who come through should head over to Ada County." Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-Winning Author 

Support Authors in the Schools Today!

Questions? We're happy to help. Contact Megan Williams, Development and Communications Manager, at [email protected].