The UNFLAWED Curriculum

Abstract of Proposal

Ink from Within is a charitable organization registered with the Washington State Secretary of State (UBI 604 599 651, Charitable Organization #2003651). Ink from Within primarily concerns itself with the literacy of incarcerated adults, adults recently released from incarceration, and adults at-risk of incarceration. This proposal, published by Ink from Within, recommends shelters, outreach organizations, and Community Custody facilities hire Ink from Within to conduct a literacy seminar for women and men to hone their reading, writing, and professional skills to better prepare them for successful engagement with their communities. Teaching life skills to the at-risk will reduce the adverse interactions with the Justice system, and reduce the toll on public services.

This proposed seminar will evaluate each attendee and their current abilities. It will also give the individual participants a forum to openly discuss their areas of potential growth in a safe environment. From there, Ink from Within will provide curricula and exercises to provide the women and men with basic literacy skills including: the ability to express oneself in writing—to professionals, judges, treatment personnel, and prospective employers; a necessary understanding of a resume, and how to write one; fundamental electronic literacy, including how to navigate modern job-seeking platforms, such as Indeed.com; and exercises to familiarize individuals with healthcare forms and procedures, to help ensure the participants receive the care to which they are entitled; and the seminar will work with each participant on securing housing, by walking each person through actual lease agreements, tenants’-rights literature, and navigating how to secure housing in an increasingly on-line world

By addressing the above concerns, the Ink from Within UNFLAWED (Understandable, Functional Literacy and Writing Education) curriculum will empower attendees, as they will gain the tools to navigate society successfully and positively, enabling them to avoid self-destructive and maladaptive coping.