A Creative Experience
A powerful creative aging experience for older adults.
In our Joe Flaherty Legacy Writing Workshops, participants write letters, stories, short essays, and poems that preserve memories, values, family history, and hopes for the future. Through guided prompts and supportive discussion, writers reflect on their lives while continuing to dream forward.
No prior writing experience is necessary; just curiosity and a willingness to share.
Upcoming Workshops
Why Legacy Writing?
Legacy writing gathers and communicates wisdom, love, and lived experience for future generations. It is both a gift to family and a meaningful act of self-discovery. At Writers & Books, we also encourage participants to look forward, honoring not only what has been lived, but what is still unfolding.
What Participants Say
“I’m in my late sixties now, and I’ve been thinking about what it’s like to have fewer years ahead than I do behind, so I decided it was time to respond to that tug in my spirit and just sign up… I think I’ve uncovered something I didn’t know I had, and that’s really exciting to me.”
— Sarah Schiffeler, Pittsford, NY, 2025 participant
Benefits
Participants often experience:
Greater clarity about what matters most
Stronger connection with loved ones
A sense of purpose and contribution
Increased social connection and community
Positive impacts on memory and language retention
The workshop environment fosters honest conversation and meaningful community, helping to address loneliness among older adults.
Interested in learning more? Please contact Tyler Barton.
