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Director of Writespace Stepping Off Staff to Work on Reducing Flooding in Houston

3/8/2019

28 Comments

 
By Elizabeth White-Olsen
PictureElizabeth was just as smitten with Writespace in 2016 as she is today.
Dear Writespace Community Member,

Beginning March 16th, I will no longer work for Writespace. This is a hard sentence for me to write, because I love Writespace with my whole heart. Why, then, am I leaving Writespace staff to do something else?

  1. Writespace has outgrown its founder, and this is great news. My special passion is launching new ideas that make a difference. The past five years, I have fulfilled this passion with Writespace. Our staff, board, instructors, and volunteers have done an amazing job of meeting writers’ needs, and Writespace literary arts center has grown quickly. As Writespace’s founder, my job has been to create an organization so viable that it can stand on its own. Happily, we have reached this point. Writespace is in excellent hands with the Writespace board, with Cassandra Clarke, Director of Operations and Acting Executive Director, and with the robust band of dedicated volunteers who love and support our organization. I greatly look forward to continuing to be excited by Writespace’s wonderful progress. 
  2. I am being called to launch other new endeavors. Founding Writespace has taught me that helping launch new nonprofit endeavors may be what I want to do with my life. Even though founding Writespace was never easy, I loved the wild, open energy that zinged through my every thought, every word, and every action during the early days of Writespace in 2014. I miss the extreme-sport adrenaline rush of those days when I didn’t know where our next check would come from to cover the rent, but believing with my whole heart that God would send it our way. I miss watching what I had dreamed come true right before my very eyes. I believe my love for that crazy, exciting time is what has led me to my next step, Bayou City Initiative.
  3. Houston needs me—and each one of us—to work to help reduce its flooding problem. Many of you know I was deeply traumatized by our evacuation and  displacement during Harvey. As I watched neighbors wade through contaminated floodwaters with their only remaining possessions, I was torn by the question, “What can I do?” I didn’t know this would be a question I wouldn’t be able to shake off after the storm, one that would determine the course of my life after the storm, but Harvey changed me. This past fall I learned of a nonprofit named Bayou City Initiative and began volunteering with them. Founded shortly after Harvey by environmental lawyer Jim Blackburn, co-founder of the Rice University SSPEED Center (Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disaster Center), Bayou City Initiative is dedicated to building a flood-resilient Houston. Volunteering—and now working part-time for BCI—presented a healthy answer to the question “What can I do?” and helped assuage the feeling of utter helplessness that has assaulted me since Harvey.

PictureWritespace's mama puts up the new sign in 2014.
My departure is extremely amicable, but not easy. Those of us who work hard behind the scenes work closely together, and we have come to love and trust one another. We will miss working together. Our board, staff, and volunteers have been extremely understanding of this profound turn in my life, and I appreciate their support. Writespace has been my first true work home, the place where my heart and soul have belonged. I will miss the sense of community most of all, the sense of shared purpose in supporting writers and their work. But I know this step is the right one both for me and for Writespace. Definitely not the easy step, but the right one.

Birthing Writespace has by far comprised the greatest work of my life. Amongst the many gifts Writespace has brought me—the amazing friendships, the lessons in leadership, the realization of what a difference a tiny band of committed individuals can make—the knowledge that I could die now and feel like I’ve done something awesome with my life has been Writespace’s greatest gift.

PictureThe founder of Writespace in May 2014, before Writespace had tables. Thanks for filling these writing chairs the past five years.
What next?
Writespace's board, staff, and volunteers have been discussing this transition since mid-January and working hard to develop a plan to keep things running smoothly. My last day at Writespace will be March 15th, and Cassandra Clarke will become Writespace’s Director of Operations and acting Executive Director. 

At some point—say, one or two years from now, I may return to serve as a Writespace instructor, editor, or volunteer, but over this next year, I will be focusing on pursuing my passion for keeping as many future Houstonians as possible safe from floods.
 
I’m signing off. Thank you for the crazy honor of serving you, Dear Writer. Thank you for the privilege of playing a part in creating a writing home for you, a place where you and your stories can grow. I look forward to continuing to watch your writing career and our writing home, Writespace, flourish.

Love,
​Elizabeth White-Olsen, Founder of Writespace

28 Comments
Mary Roya
3/9/2019 04:54:28 pm

It has been a delight and honor to know you. Thank you for all the hard work you put into Writespace. Sending you blessings for the next step in your journey.

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/9/2019 05:38:20 pm

Mary, Thank you so much. I am touched by your words. You were there right at the beginning, and your open-mindedness and hard work as my editing client meant the world to me.

Reply
Gay Yellen link
3/9/2019 05:05:20 pm

Best of luck to you, Elizabeth. Hoping our paths cross in the future.

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/9/2019 05:39:27 pm

They most certainly will, Gay. I won't be able to stay away for too long. Thank you for your support of Writespace all these years. It's made a big difference!

Reply
Tom Woltz
3/9/2019 05:14:43 pm

Just a note to say, though i did not get much chance to know you well, i can appreciate the hard work and time and effort you dedicated
to Writespace. We, your fellow writers, were the recipient of your labors and it showed in the quality of your results.
Me, and my fellow members at HWG will be ever in your debt for your combined effort these last few springs to present a quality event.
Please don’t be a stranger in the future.
Virtual hugs here.
Tom Woltz

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/9/2019 05:47:36 pm

Tom, You are awesome. I love the HWG. As an FYI, I was the president of the HWG right before I started Writespace. Such as inspiring group of writers. Thank you for the great work the HWG is doing--and thank you for your kind acknowledgement!

Reply
Ella Ritchie link
3/9/2019 05:15:42 pm

Wow! It’s surprising news, but I know you’ll breathe life into BCI like you have into Writespace. All the best!

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/9/2019 05:40:19 pm

Thank you, Ella! Your support has made a huge difference. I will introduce you to our new staff once they come on board. We appreciate you!!

Reply
J-Mag Guthrie
3/9/2019 05:32:24 pm

Framing this in the active voice ... many will miss you, Elizabeth, but we recognize that you are departing with grace and Writespace is poised to continue to flourish thanks to your hard work. Best wishes going forward!

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/9/2019 05:40:56 pm

Thank you, J-Mag! Hope you have an amazing experience in the Journey of Poetry workshop tomorrow!

Reply
Joyce Boatright
3/9/2019 06:29:04 pm

Thank you, Elizabeth, for your creative heart. Your passion, strength and collaborative spirit will fuel the Bayou City Initiative in ways no one else can. You are a true servant leader and we are blessed with WriteSpace, thanks to you. We will continue to nurture and grow what you’ve planted.

Blessings,
Joyce

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/10/2019 10:34:03 pm

Thank you, Joyce, so much for your support and for your continuing support of Writespace. It has and it will make a big difference!

Reply
Brian Sliga
3/9/2019 08:23:41 pm

Elizabeth,
Thank you for everything you’ve done for writespace. I remember two years ago when I had first moved to Houston looking for a group to write and learn from. I met you and Cassandra. You’ve always given me inspiration to strive for and work on the things that I have passions for. All the best. Hope to still see you around. All the best,
Brian Sluga

Reply
Elizabeth White
3/10/2019 10:35:20 pm

Thank you, Brian. And congratulations on your recent successes. We are proud of you!!

Reply
Cindy Childress link
3/9/2019 10:31:20 pm

I am so sorry to see you go, but wish you the best of luck and know that the Bayou City Initiative will be lucky to have you.

I can't put into words what Writespace has meant to me as a place to learn, teach, share, and grow.

We'll keep carrying your torch and make Writespace a place you can come back to that's even better than you left it. Big hugs!

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/10/2019 10:37:12 pm

Cindy, re. these wonderful words: "We'll keep carrying your torch and make Writespace a place you can come back to that's even better than you left it."
I love this so much. This is my hope!! XOX

Reply
Kathryn Diaz
3/10/2019 12:17:12 am

Elizabeth,

My heart aches to think of Writespace without you. But Bayou City Initiative has found itself a great blessing in you and I know you shall go on to do wonderful things.

All the best wishes and love for you and for Writespace,

Kat

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/10/2019 10:39:42 pm

Thank you, Kat! We miss you very much--and, of course, your Writespace Instagram posts, but we know you are learning so much and having an amazing time in NYC at Columbia's M.F.A. program. :-D

Reply
Brian Sluga
3/10/2019 09:14:59 am

Elizabeth
I believe that your passion will help Houston grow and put more attention on our much need flood zones. Keep us posted on you new endeavor.
Cheers,
Brian

Reply
Esmeralda Fisher
3/10/2019 10:32:36 am

Elizabeth, Bayou City Initiative is blessed to have you! Congrats on all that you have accomplished with Writespace, and best wishes.

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/10/2019 10:41:28 pm

Thank you, Esmeralda! Hope you are well and hope we get to cross paths again soon.

Reply
DeAnna Burghart
3/11/2019 02:06:43 pm

Elizabeth, I am thrilled and moved that you've found a way to process the trauma of Harvey and turn it into such positive momentum. I hope it provides balm for the remaining wounds. I come from the school of thought that God never intends bad things to happen, but fully intends that we use our will to create good things in their aftermath. This sounds like a profoundly good thing.

Thank you for your part in building one of the few true homes I found in my short tenure in Houston, and for helping to reignite the long-dormant spark in my soul. I look forward to following both Writespace and BCI as they create a better world.

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/11/2019 08:57:26 pm

So kind of you. Thank you, DeAnna. Yes, sometimes doing what God wants us to do, which is to love and serve others in the biggest ways possible, ends up taking us to unexpected yet wonderful paths. Thank you for getting it! And thank you for continuing to support Writespace--even from California! It means so much. We appreciate you.

Reply
Andreana
3/13/2019 03:23:25 pm

By founding Writespace, you have given many of us a safe space to learn, share and bond with other writers. We have a channel to grow from and a haven of support. You have inspired and helped others, and you’ll continue to do so for the Houston community. I want to thank you for building a writing center that gave me personal, great healing at a time in my life when I needed to find myself again. I wish you the very best on your next endeavor! You can do anything you put your heart into xoxo

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/13/2019 08:35:50 pm

Love you, Andreana! Thank you for your kind words--and thank you being such an amazing open mic host and instructor! Know that your dedication and generosity have inspired me, too!! The healing has been happening for all of us in all directions. XOX

Reply
David Deal link
3/14/2019 09:03:08 pm

Elizabeth, you did a great job leading and growing that idea! Good luck with your next project. You and your husband are invited any time to bird watch with us in Quail Valley!

Reply
Elizabeth White-Olsen
3/16/2019 11:58:11 pm

David, Thank you for the invite. This is so sweet of you!

You believed in Writespace from the start and helped open the door for everything to happen. We've LOVED being in Silver Street Studios. Thanks for being a friend to us all along the way.

Reply
Holly Walrath link
3/24/2019 05:53:31 pm

Congrats on your new work Elizabeth! I know you will do amazing things over there. Writespace will miss you but we are proud of the work you have done for emerging writers in Houston.

Reply



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  • About
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        • Mackenzie Bitz
        • Joyce Boatright
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        • Patricia Flaherty Pagan
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        • Theodora Ziolkowski
        • Nishta Mehra
        • Jessica Raney
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