Our Mission
We believe in the transformative power of story.
Through dialogue, workshop, and performance, veterans, first responders, and their families gain new understanding about themselves and the world around them. Empowered, they seek integration back into the community, and at the same time the community gains new perspective and understanding about what it means to serve.
Our Mission
Programs & Events
and
Poets & Writers
Connecting Dreams to Words Through Poetry
Through writing exercises, dialogue, and reading poems by other poets the participants will learn how to express their experiences (spiritual, emotional, and physical) through poetry. Using metaphors, dreams, and the language of spoken and written poetry, the participants will create a relationship to their world around them.
Led by Miguel Rivera.
March 15 & March 22, 2025
10AM to 1PM, PST
Participation is free.
Grief Dialogues:
Memorial Day
Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day is a powerful three-hour immersive experience dedicated to honoring our military and Veteran communities. Join us on May 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA. The event is free to the public, donations and sponsorships are welcome.
Call for PLAY Submissions
Play submissions are limited to United States Veterans currently living in Southern California. Submissions can be a monologue (2 to 5 pages) or a short play (10 minutes). Click below for more information on submission guidelines and how to submit. Submissions due March 15, 2025
A program in collaboration with Grief Dialogues, Returning Soldiers Speak, and In Their Honor.
Reflections:
Nurses on the Frontline During the Pandemic
Writing Workshop
and
Public Reading Project
The Reflections: Nurses on the Frontline During the Pandemic project comprises six writing workshops culminating in a public reading and panel discussion.
A program in collaboration with
Chin Family Institute for Nursing.
Ongoing Event — Join Us!
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
The Letters Project
Across Time: Love & Humanity During War
An original theatrical production inspired by letters from past wars and conflicts that provide a poignant window into the hopes, fears, and experiences of those who served.
Read more about the play, the cast, and the veteran playwrights at the link below.
The Letters Project is a collaboration of ArtsUP! LA & RETURNING SOLDIERS SPEAK.
Programs & Events
and
Poets & Writers
Connecting Dreams to Words Through Poetry
Through writing exercises, dialogue, and reading poems by other poets the participants will learn how to express their experiences (spiritual, emotional, and physical) through poetry. Using metaphors, dreams, and the language of spoken and written poetry, the participants will create a relationship to their world around them.
Led by Miguel Rivera.
March 15 & March 22, 2025
10AM to 1PM, PST
Participation is free.
Grief Dialogues:
Memorial Day
Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day is a powerful three-hour immersive experience dedicated to honoring our military and Veteran communities. Join us on May 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA. The event is free to the public, donations and sponsorships are welcome.
Call for PLAY Submissions
Play submissions are limited to United States Veterans currently living in Southern California. Submissions can be a monologue (2 to 5 pages) or a short play (10 minutes). Click below for more information on submission guidelines and how to submit. Submissions due March 15, 2025
A program in collaboration with Grief Dialogues, Returning Soldiers Speak, and In Their Honor.
Reflections:
Nurses on the Frontline During the Pandemic
Writing Workshop
and
Public Reading Project
The Reflections: Nurses on the Frontline During the Pandemic project comprises six writing workshops culminating in a public reading and panel discussion.
A program in collaboration with
Chin Family Institute for Nursing.
Ongoing Event — Join Us!
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
The Letters Project
Across Time: Love & Humanity During War
An original theatrical production inspired by letters from past wars and conflicts that provide a poignant window into the hopes, fears, and experiences of those who served.
Read more about the play, the cast, and the veteran playwrights at the link below.
The Letters Project is a collaboration of ArtsUP! LA & RETURNING SOLDIERS SPEAK.
The Latest
Fire & Flowers
Kyrie Ravencry
First-Time Playwright Speaks
Ken Klemm
My First Time Writing A Stageplay
Benjamin Fortier
Never the Same, Again
Leilani Squire
The Latest
Fire & Flowers
Kyrie Ravencry
First-Time Playwright Speaks
Ken Klemm
My First Time Writing A Stageplay
Benjamin Fortier
Never the Same, Again
Leilani Squire
The Latest
Fire & Flowers
Kyrie Ravencry
First-Time Playwright Speaks
Ken Klemm
My First Time Writing A Stageplay
Benjamin Fortier
Never the Same, Again
Leilani Squire
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.