Lighthouse is more than just a name; it embodies the essence of a safe haven, a guiding light, and a place of belonging. Our community has evolved, one word at a time, into a family of writers who illuminate the world with their stories. When we join together to create and share our stories, we recognize what we have in common. This Colorado Gives Day, we invite you to support Lighthouse so we can continue building a diverse and inclusive community that fosters creativity, supports emerging voices, and makes a positive impact on countless lives. Here's Naz's story.
For two years, Naz has woken up at 2:00 AM in North Cyprus for twelve weeks each semester to zoom into the Young Author’s Collective (YAC). And no—it’s not just her teenage fervor that drives her to do so.
“As much as I love this little island, it's hard to find groups for people with niche interests,” said Naz. “My mom has always been super supportive of my writing, and she encouraged me to look outside the boundaries of North Cyprus. Then, I found Lighthouse!”
Naz’s passion for writing started young. As a kid, she’d write on the walls “like a nerdy caveman of sorts.” Storytelling called to her before she could even give language to it.
“Before any sort of personality could blossom, my mind had already claimed writing as my One Thing.”
Then Naz logged onto YAC for the first time, she was nervous and worried about feeling judged by her peers, but that feeling quickly disappeared.
“When I log onto YAC, this comfort washes over me. It’s quickly become the highlight of my week, and I’ve heard from other members that it’s the same for them.”
For obvious reasons, Naz was drawn to Lighthouse’s online programs, but perhaps more pertinently, she was drawn to the type of community cultivated in a place like YAC.
“Writing is a kind of sport, and the stronger a team you have, the better you play. Less artsy subjects don’t have to harbor a community. At YAC, I get to really experience being a part of a passionate and inspiring community.”
Naz also benefits from Lighthouse’s writership tuition assistance program, which invites all writers to find a writing community regardless of their ability to pay.
“With the help of the writership, I get to keep this community of writers, and with their constant feedback, I evolve as a writer and improve. Without the writership, I probably wouldn’t have the confidence I do now as a writer.”
That confidence inspired her to submit work to our Youth Anthology, And We Created Worlds. When asked to share her favorite memory of YAC, Naz grounded her answer in something every writer experiences—when the trajectory of a week shows up on the page.
“I was having an awful few weeks, and that really reflected on the piece I wrote. I was also the first to share that session, which completely changed the vibe. The next person ended up sharing this darling of a piece, something so wholesome and kind. Then the next, and the next one, too—it ended up becoming this warm digital circle of kindness and love. We had all, somehow, written the most wholesome stuff we could’ve written. At that moment, I knew I’d be okay, that whatever I was going through would sort itself out.”
It seems that sentiment is the pinnacle of YAC—an infectious, positive environment that allows young writers to show up exactly how they are.
“When you have such a positive and kind community that you aren’t able to find anywhere else in your world—it's why I wake up each session so early in the morning. Everyone from the members to Jesaka (our mentor) are the sweetest and most inspiring people I’ve ever met.”
This Colorado Gives Day, your donation helps Lighthouse ensure young writers like Naz have access to writing communities like the Young Authors Collective. Invest in Lighthouse today!
