SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young

As we all now know, COVID-19 has resulted in widespread closures and cancelations in a national effort to minimize the impact of the virus. To do our part for the health and safety of our staff, the amazing young people we serve, and our fellow human beings, SAY has temporarily suspended in-person programming,

But SAY is still here! This unprecedented time of uncertainty calls for MORE support, connection, and love, and SAY remains 100% committed to staying present for you. We will not now, nor will we ever stop providing the invaluable programming, encouragement, and friendship that our SAY community relies on.

Our dedicated staff is already reimagining Confident Voices programming so it may be offered remotely. Here are some important updates:

• ONE-ACT PLAY PERFORMANCES ARE POSTPONED, BUT THEY WILL NOT BE CANCELED. OUR WRITER-DIRECTORS REMAIN HARD AT WORK CREATING!

• THE MENTOR PROJECT WILL HAPPEN IN A REIMAGINED WAY, BUT IT WILL NOT BE CANCELED.

Remember, SAY is here, so please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Registration for The Mentor Project is still OPEN, so click below to enroll TODAY!

Every person has a story to tell and a voice that deserves to be heard. SAY’s ground-breaking Confident Voices programming employs the arts to inspire creativity, confidence, and communication in young people who stutter.

We believe the arts are for everybody, so Confident Voices encourages all kids and teens who stutter to collaborate and explore new channels of expression in a safe and supportive space.

Our 7-9 week programs embolden young people who stutter to share what’s in their hearts and on their minds…with friends who understand their experiences.

Confident Voices offers 3 programming sessions during the school year:

• The Songwriting Project: Supervised by SAY’s Music Director, legendary musician Everett Bradley. Starts 9/28/19.
• The Short Play Project: Kids write and perform in their own original plays. Starts 12/6/19.
• The Mentor Project: Small groups are joined by adult mentors who also stutter to craft free-format performance pieces. Starts 4/17/20.

Each project ends with a vibrant performance in a safe and appreciative public space when participants can truly express themselves onstage. Confident Voices is an exceptional, collaborative and transformative experience.

Confident Voices programming is absolutely FREE!!! Enrollment is now open for all 2019/2020 sessions. Click the circles above for more details about these amazing programs!

Additional Programming:

SAY offers comprehensive programming options to kids & teens who stutter (ages 8-18), both locally in NYC and nationally.

• One-Act Project: Confident Voices graduating seniors are invited to write and direct their own original one-act plays.
• Speech Therapy: SAY Speech Therapy is provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist with expertise in stuttering therapy.
• SAY Storytellers: Teens from all over the USA embark on a creative process to write and publish their own stories about living with a stutter.
• Camp SAY: Our 2 week Summer Camp for young people who stutter, ages 8-18. Sliding scale tuition is available!

Questions About Confident Voices?

Our Programming Staff is happy to help:

• Kate Detrick – Director of Confident Voices: 917-697-7183, Kate@SAY.org
• Aidan Sank – Artistic Director of Confident Voices: 917-697-7183, Aidan@SAY.org

You may also submit an inquiry or download a brochure. 

Visit the Confident Voices Blog to follow the fun! It’s THE place to go for frequent updates, photos & stories.