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. 

Group photo

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. 

Programs & Events

Returning Soldiers Speak
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.

More Information

Grief Dialogues:
Memorial Day

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. 

A program in collaboration with Grief Dialogues, Returning Soldiers Speak, and In Their Honor. 

Submissions due March 15, 2025

More Information

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.

More Information

Ongoing Event — Join Us!

Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop

All Writers Welcome

Poetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...

Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST

Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.

Register via Email

Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop

All Writers Welcome

Poetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...

Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST

Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.

Register via Email

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.

More Information

Programs & Events

Returning Soldiers Speak
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.

More Information

Grief Dialogues:
Memorial Day

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. 

A program in collaboration with Grief Dialogues, Returning Soldiers Speak, and In Their Honor. 

Submissions due March 15, 2025

More Information

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.

More Information

Ongoing Event — Join Us!

Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop

All Writers Welcome

Poetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...

Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST

Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.

Register via Email

Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop

All Writers Welcome

Poetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...

Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST

Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.

Register via Email

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.

More Information

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 story

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 story

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.