The Pathfinder Network Releases 10th Anthology, “Home and Away,” a Powerful Collection of Poetry, Stories, and Art by Over 100 Systems-Impacted Youth
Celebrate this powerful collection of poetry, stories, and art by over 100 systems-impacted youth by pre-ordering a book and attending our Book Release & Showcase on April 15, 2025 in Portland, Oregon
HOME AND AWAY features poetry, stories, drawings, paintings, collages, and photographs created by young people impacted by incarceration, detention and deportation that take us inside their sense of feeling at home—whether in their clubs, on playing fields, hanging out with friends, or just being alone. But that’s only the first section. In Part Two, in addition to capturing dreams of adventure and the faraway, the creators address longings about those who are away, too often a parent, and about broken homes, broken hearts, and broken dreams.
Research indicates that a significant number of U.S. children—one in 14—experience the incarceration of a parent. The PATHfinder Club and POPS the Club provide safe spaces empowering youth to express their life experiences through creative outlets. This process of self-expression is at the heart of these powerful anthologies.
Home and Away will be published on April 8, 2025 and is available to pre-order at Out of the Woods Press.
WHAT: Members of the press, advocates, and community members are invited to join us at the Book Release & Showcase of “Home and Away: Poetry, Stories & Art” in Portland, OR. This celebratory evening will include readings from the collection by youth, art displays, light refreshments, and an opportunity for community members to meet anthology contributors, ask questions, and purchase books. The event will also be livestreamed on The Pathfinder Network’s Facebook page.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
WHERE: Parkrose High School Library, 12003 NE Shaver St, Portland, OR 97220
ABOUT: The PATHfinder Club (Paving a Trail of Hope) and POPS the Club (Pain of the Prison System) are programs of The Pathfinder Network, which provides justice system-impacted individuals and families with the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. These arts-based support clubs provide support and resources to teens impacted by incarceration, detention, and deportation, transforming hurt and harm to hope and healing. Learn more at www.thepathfinderclub.org.
"Divided into 12 thematic chapters, the work’s varied contents—from photographs to acrostic poems—showcase the nearly 100 different creators’ emotional and intimate deep dives into their motivations, hopes, and goals. A common theme running through their work is the experience of being affected by the U.S. carceral system; all the contributors participated in clubs run by a nonprofit dedicated to supporting teens whose lives have been touched by “incarceration, detention, and deportation.” . . . It’s gratifying to see multiple pieces by the same creators appear, highlighting their introspection and providing a roundness to their contributions that would not be present if readers had only one opportunity to interact with their works. The poetry of Genalyn Guerrero, from Venice High School in Los Angeles, is particularly strong and threads throughout the text in a way that allows readers to feel they are following the writer’s journey."
—Kirkus Reviews
“A beautiful collection of stories, poetry, and art created by extraordinary youth. Offering important lessons on belonging and marginalization, it will simultaneously expand, touch, break, and mend your heart.”
—Naomi Ackerman, founder and Executive Director, Advot
TITLE: Home and Away: Poetry, Stories & Art
AUTHOR: The PATHfinder and POPS Clubs, Edited by Amy Friedman
PUBLISHER: Out of the Woods Press
BOOK RELEASE DATE: April 8, 2025
PRE-ORDER LINK: www.outofthewoodspress.com/featured-title
CONTACT: Grace Stopher, Marketing & Communications Manager at The Pathfinder Network, (971) 413-5000, gstopher@thepathfindernetwork.org