Pittsburgh "Do the Write Thing"

DO THE WRITE THING  is an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, and a writing program for middle school students that helps position them as community catalysts. At the beginning of each academic year, educators facilitate middle school students in expressing their thoughts on the impact of violence, the root causes and in alleviating violence in their communities. These activities, aligned with the common core to enhance the content curriculum, aim to amplify student voices, reinforce a sense of community, and propel their communities toward non-violence.

The Pittsburgh “Do the Write Thing” was established in 2007 as a sanctioned program of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division, at the behest of then Administrative Judge Kim Berkeley Clark. Judge Clark appointed Judge Dwayne D. Woodruff and wife, Joy Maxberry Woodruff to establish and chair the Pittsburgh program.  

Annually, a DtWT Dinner Celebration is held to honor the top student writers from each school, with one male and female student chosen as Pittsburgh “National DtWT Ambassadors” based on their writing content and an interview with Judges. The 'Ambassadors are honored at the DtWT National Recognition Week in Washington, DC, where they meet with other student ambassadors, senators, congressmen for discussion on youth violence issues. A book of the writings of each city’s Ambassadors is inducted in United States Library of Congress.