We believe in a future where everyone is included and able to express themselves.
To achieve this vision, we’re focusing on one big goal: closing the digital divide by fostering meaningful self-expression and writing opportunities for all.
The Write Away Story
Deanna Santoro, Write Away’s co-founder, had already worked as a teacher in three different school systems when they got the idea for this organization.
In the first school, their students had little to no access to computers. In the second, there were computers, but they weren’t being used consistently or purposefully across different classrooms. And in the third school, there were also computers...only, they were the same clunky desktop devices Deanna had used back in third grade in their classes.
One day, as part of the studies for their EdD, Deanna was working on some research about the relationship between achievement gaps and gaps in access to technology. They came across the term “digital divide”––and immediately thought of their students.
It struck them: no matter how hard they worked on their lessons, their students were still going to lag behind in their ability to use technology meaningfully, in the classroom and beyond.
Deanna decided right then that they had to do something to not only address the digital divide, but also empower students and their families to understand how to use technology to express themselves, achieve their goals, and enrich their lives. So that night, they started brainstorming ideas for an organization that would address these issues.
The organization would do more than just increase access to digital literacy. It would help people use technology to empower themselves and engage in the deeply human act of communicating. With this mission in mind, Write Away was born.
Our Values
Write Away operates with these fundamental values: Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
Equity:
At Write Away we make the distinction between equality and equity. Our work to close the digital divide is rooted in the belief that equitable actions are needed to achieve equal outcomes. We recognize that everyone has different resources and acknowledging that allows us to empower our community successfully.
Inclusion:
Inclusive education means that individuals in the classroom and virtual mentoring lessons have attitudes and practices that respect an individual. These habits are different from integration which is just a partial or physical placement, inclusion focuses on all around visibility. Inclusion is a human right and students should know that their presence is mattered and valued in a classroom.
Justice:
“Justice is, in many ways, a combination of fairness and opportunity” (Learning for Justice). Write Away’s focus is on closing the digital divide, which is a direct consequence of the lack of equitable opportunities and resources.
Write Away is working with the Bonner Racial Justice Community Fund to ensure that anti-racism and social justice are central to our work. We commit to anti-racism and social justice work by facilitating inclusive conversations with our mentors, allowing them to express their diverse perspectives and experiences with each other. Furthermore, we see our mentors' commitment to racial justice as something they can model and uphold as they work with mentees.