In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” Santa Fe Poet Laureate Tommy Archuleta discusses the launch of new poetry workshops aimed at giving an outlet and sense of community to Santa Fe’s homeless population. It’s called The Voice Project.  

Funded by a $50,000 fellowship grant from the Academy of American Poets, the project follows the academy’s mission to enrich communities across the country through poetry and artistic endeavors.  

Archuleta explains how his goal with the funding will consist of creating poetry workshops for unhoused people at area shelters to allow them to share their story and not feel so alone in the world. Work collected from the workshops will then be compiled for publishing and distribution throughout the city.  

As a mental health and substance abuse counselor, Archuleta says he understands the various impacts of not being seen or being able to talk about one’s life experiences. He reflects on this knowledge which has played a contributing factor for him in founding The Voice Project.   

Read more about the initiative in The New Mexican’s previous coverage:  

Santa Fe poet laureate receives grant from Academy of American Poets for workshops with homeless 

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