This year’s volume serves as the first iteration of our new title, Vines of Truth, which was drawn from our prime locations—our ELL headquarters on Vine St. and our main office on Troost Ave. Inspired by the efforts of Kansas City activist Chris Goode and other community members to rename Troost Ave. as Truth Ave., we felt that Vines of Truth was a fitting title for this celebration of our students. This title also represents how, through telling their stories, our students spread their truths to readers across Kansas City.
Vines of Truth is a creative writing series Literacy KC hosts each year. This series invites local writers to visit Literacy KC classes to introduce our students to creative writing and inspire them to pursue their own writing. The project culminates in a print and digital anthology featuring student work.
Vines of Truth features the poetry, fiction, and nonfiction of Literacy KC’s adult learners. In 2023, 49 students contributed to the anthology.
Literacy KC instructors work with local writers to develop creative writing lessons, including specific prompts to guide them in their writing. Instructors and the anthology editor also work to revise student work before inclusion in the anthology.