Our Mission
Austin Bat Cave is a creative community. Our writing programs empower students to find their voices and tell their stories.
Founded in 2007, ABC works with young authors ages 6 to 18 in Central Texas, primarily Travis County. We provide programs in creative writing, journalism, college essay writing, resume writing, expressive journaling, and more. We strive to make our programs safe and accessible for all students, and prioritize partnerships with Title 1 schools and communities that have limited access to creative arts programming. With Austin’s rising housing costs and shifting demographics, we continue to adapt. In the past two years, ABC expanded its geographic reach to increase program equity and accessibility, activated youth civic engagement through op-ed programs, integrated therapeutic journaling into our programs, and provided monthly workshops for system-involved youth.
We believe in the power of words.
Key Initiatives
Increase program equity & accessibility
Provide anti-racism training to our board, staff, and volunteers
Teach writing as a tool for social change
Inspire young people to find joy in writing
Publish youth voices
Data-informed program development
Programming
Last year, ABC partnered with 50 schools and nonprofit organizations to serve over 1,000 Central Texas youth.
In School
ABC volunteers assist teachers in the classroom during the school year and provide one-on-one mentorship with college & scholarship application essays and other writing activities.
After School
Our after school programs give students the opportunity to explore a full range of creative writing activities including fiction, poetry, songwriting, and more!
Summer Camps
Spend the summer at our free half-day creative writing summer camps and our popular overnight writing retreat.
“Austin Bat Cave taught me writing and bravery.”
– ABC Student, 5th grade
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