From 2012 to 2021, Amy devoted most of her time and her talent to the nonprofit she and her husband, teacher and playwright Dennis Danziger, created to support children of the incarcerated, POPS the Club. In 2019 they also founded Out of the Woods Press to publish and promote the work created within the nonprofit.
Over those years, many stories were also produced about the creative output of the youth served and the creative input it took to create and build the organization. Links to some of those stories are below.
Karen Arellano, POPS student alum and former communications intern on the podcast Pursuing Justice
August 3, 2020
https://pod.co/pursuing-justice/karen-arellano
Katherine Secaida, POPS student ambassador on the podcast Pursuing Justice,
August 10, 2020
https://pod.co/pursuing-justice/katherine-secaida
John Rodriguez, former POPS Board member, on the podcast Pursuing Justice
September 7, 2020
https://pod.co/pursuing-justice/john-rodriguez
Shalei Heflin, former POPS Board member, on the podcast Pursuing Justice
September 14, 2020
https://pod.co/pursuing-justice/shalei-heflin
The Argonaut, including quotes from participants, here.
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Deborah Kalb interviewed Amy Friedman about POPS the Club and Dream Catchers. You can read her full interview here.
Dream Catchers reviewed by Midwest Book Review.
The San Fernando Sun, “POPS the Club Gives Kids with Incarcerated Family Members a Space And a Voice," here.
"Insight" with Mark Farrell on Progressive Radio Network, here.
The Culver City Observer, "Transforming Pain into Empowerment Through POPS Clubs," here.
Dream Catchers reviewed in the February 1, 2021, issue of Booklist by Kathleen McBroom, who writes that "it's increasingly obvious that these POPS the Club communities deserve wider recognition. While the collection is sometimes tough to read, these are voices that deserve to be heard." Review here.
“Late Night Health” on iHeart Radio with Mark Alyn.
LaGrange Daily News (Georgia), article here.
Dream Catchers reviewed by School Library Journal Review: "[e]ach page is a testament to how art can heal and express feelings and emotions,” full review here.
Kirkus Reviews, "their contributions are lyrical, haunting, and poignant, and the anthology marches toward hope." Full review here.
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