Come write with me + support small business
Close up of a wooden pamphlet holder with Firefly Creative Writing pamphlets.
Wait — is it Monday?
The days are blurring and melting into each other. But — much to my astonishment — the one thing that has held them in place is this new thing we’re doing, Morning Coffee Sessions.
Quickly, if you haven’t heard me explain it before:
Morning Coffee Sessions are a very simple gathering at 9am on Zoom, for anyone who wants to spend 20 minutes writing in community. We settle in, usually stretch, and then I set up a short writing prompt or exercise. Then we just… write. We take 20 minutes of glorious uninterrupted time to follow our words, and then I bring ever back, read a poem, and close. I started this two weeks ago thinking it would be a short-lived experiment but now I can’t live without it. YOU ARE INVITED.
Today’s news is that we’re extending Morning Coffee Sessions until September and during that time, all funds that come in will go towards small business rent relief.
I am incredibly passionate about small business. I believe that they are the creative through-line of our communities — a beating, creative heart vital to human momentum and connection. As another rent due-date passes by, and there’s still no moratorium on commercial lease evictions in Ontario, I know that many more have quietly closed. Already, some dear friends in our neighbourhood have locked their doors for the last time.
And, as well meaning as the Canadian Government’s rent relief program is, it breaks my heart how short it falls. The way it’s structured means it’s out of reach for almost every business I know.
So, we’re taking matters into our own hands and creating our own informal local rent relief program. For all Morning Coffee Sessions until September, I’m donating my time, and paying for admin and Zoom fees from another account so that ALL funds can funnel into rent relief. Our only goal is to pay our rent, after that all donations will go towards helping with the rent of our hard-working neighbours.
It’s already working so beautifully! Since we announced this last week, we’ve covered our rent and we’re well on our way to another one. For the sake of their privacy, we won’t be sharing the names of businesses we fund, but I can say for sure that your money will be helping some vital and beloved storefronts to weather this storm.
You’re so very welcome to be part of this. Click here to sign up.
I don’t usually get bossy, but will you allow me for a moment? Joining Morning Coffee Sessions is one sweet way to support small business but there are a billion others. I’d love for you to pause on that for a sec.
As we travel through this time, our consumer decisions are building the architecture of our post-pandemic world. The streets we walk back out onto, the options we have for coffee and vegetables, the existence of family-run diners and adorable little brunch spots — none of this is guaranteed.
Who would you miss terribly in a world where shopping only means Walmart and Amazon? Tell them. Help them if you can. Buy your gift cards and write your thank you notes. They will be SO GRATEFUL.
Glad you’re here, big heart.
Here’s to all the small businesses that nourish our souls, and all the stories you’re collecting during these strange days.
In it with you,
