We Help Educators
Empower Their Students

Our innovative methodology prepares educators
to make a difference in their classroom.

What We Do

Training

The Freedom Writers Teacher Institute
helps educators empower all of their students.

Outreach

Freedom Writer Outreach Events aren't just presentations.
They are life-changing experiences.

Curriculum

Our books and resources help educators
#BetheTeacher they want to see in the world.

Scholarships

Your donation to the Freedom Writers Scholarship Fund
helps first-generation college students fulfill their dreams.

Who We Are

Black and white photo of Erin Gruwell and several Freedom Writers

Our Story



In 1994, Long Beach was a racially divided community filled with drugs, gang warfare, and homicides, and the tensions on the streets had carried into the school halls. When idealistic first-year teacher Erin Gruwell walked into Room 203 at Wilson High School, her students had already been labeled unteachable. But Gruwell believed in something more...

Photo of Erin Gruwell

Erin Gruwell



Erin Gruwell is a teacher, an author, and the founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation. By fostering an educational philosophy that values and promotes diversity, Erin transformed her students' lives. Through the Freedom Writers Foundation, she currently teaches educators around the world how to implement her innovative lesson plans into their own classrooms.

A group shot of Freedom Writers at a Freedom Writers event.

Freedom Writers



On their first day of high school, Erin Gruwell's students had only three things in common: they hated school, they hated each other, and they hated her. But all of that changed when they discovered the power of telling their stories. Against all odds, all of 150 of them went on to graduate, become published authors, and start a world-wide movement to change the education system as we know it.

Connect

Listen to the Podcast

The Freedom Writers Podcast is a show
about education and how it can change the world.

Watch our New PBS Documentary!


Did you know?

Your organization can host a Documentary Screening with a Q&A featuring Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers.

Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart Poster
FWF Ocean Blvd Office

Contact Us


Give us a call or send us a note! Our attentive staff will respond to you personally.




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You Can Make a Difference

Your donation directly supports our efforts to empower
educators to better serve their most vulnerable students.