The Freedom Writers Foundation trains and supports teachers of at-risk middle and high school students through a pedagogical framework patterned after the success of Erin Gruwell, who began her teaching career in the fall of 1994, in Room 203 at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. 

When Erin Gruwell was challenged by a room of students considered to be “unteachable,” Gruwell adapted her curriculum to engage her students and encourage them to rethink rigid beliefs about themselves and others. By using relevant literature and fundraising to bring in speakers and take her students on fieldtrips, Gruwell convinced her at-risk students to reconsider the impact of their daily decisions and to take ownership of their futures. With her steadfast support, her students – who dubbed themselves “Freedom Writers,” in homage to the Civil Rights leaders, the Freedom Riders – shattered stereotypes to become high school graduates, critical thinkers, aspiring college students and citizens for change.

In 1997, Erin Gruwell and her students, the “Freedom Writers,” founded The Freedom Writers Foundation in an effort to replicate the Freedom Writers’ success in classrooms across the country. Since that time, the organization has grown nationally, providing unique and dynamic training to educators and lesson plan resource material.

Since the publication of The New York Times bestseller The Freedom Writers Diary in 1999 – featuring the real-life journal entries by the original students of Room 203 – the Freedom Writers Foundation has:

• Distributed one million copies of The Freedom Writers Diary, distributing the book in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and German.
• Published a guide for educators entitled: The Freedom Writers Diary: Teacher’s Guide.
• Trained more than 210 educators to implement the Freedom Writers Method in their diverse classrooms. 
• Motivated and inspired hundreds of thousands of teachers and youth with the story of the Freedom Writers at over 1,000 events  
• Sponsored original Freedom Writers students to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees
• Collaborated in the creation of the Paramount Pictures feature film Freedom Writers, starring Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank.

The Freedom Writers Foundation impacts educators, students and communities across the nation through its core programs and operations:

• The Freedom Writers Institute For Teachers: Innovative teacher training in the Freedom Writers Method.
• Educational resources such as The Freedom Writers Diary, Teach for Hope and The Freedom Writers Diary: Teacher’s Guide. 
•  Community outreach through speaking engagements and workshops.

Join us as we continue on our exciting educational mission to support teachers and tap the untapped potential of our future: our students!