Writing in the Arena

A Creative Program for Military & Veteran Men

Join Mission Belonging for a virtual orientation session to learn more about our program for men in the military (Active Duty and Veterans), Writing in the Arena. This monthly program offers live, interactive online art and creative writing workshops to create a “Virtual Community Center” where men who have served can gather and experience belonging in a healthy, safe, and connected environment.

There are nearly 16 million male Veterans living in the United States today, and over 1.3 million men currently serving on Active Duty. While every military experience is unique, many men share the challenge of finding community and meaningful connection after service. Writing in the Arena provides a space to explore identity, and wherever Veterans are on their journey, to find purpose and meaning following military service through creativity and shared experience.

Mission Belonging’s innovative methodology and programs have been tested and refined over twelve years and have been demonstrated to be an effective creative arts intervention for those struggling with the symptoms of PTSD, including substance misuse and suicidal behaviors. Designed in partnership with Veterans, military clinicians, community organizations, and VSOs, these workshops and community events support participants wherever they are along their healing journey.

Join Writing in the Arena!

All individuals interested in participating are required to attend one Orientation Session where they will learn more about the program, meet the facilitators, as well as complete assessments.

• All discharge statuses are welcome

• Orientations are offered on the second Monday of every month*

• Workshops will take place on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 PM ET

Register Here

For our complete program calendar, visit our Events page.

About our Facilitator
Kevin Basl is a writer and musician living near Ithaca, New York. He was a mobile radar operator in the U.S. Army. Over the past decade, he has taught many writing and art-marking workshops for service members, veterans, and their communities. He’s author of Midnight Cargo: Stories and Poems (Illuminated Press), and he’s co-author of a chapbook of poems: Corn, Coal & Yellow Ribbons (Out of Step Press).

Program Partners

Research support provided by The Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency
Services Research (AMES Research) at Kennesaw State University.

The Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research (AMES Research) at Kennesaw State University leads the development of solutions to complex occupational and behavioral health concerns that negatively impact military and emergency services personnel, their families, and the communities in which they live. We use cutting-edge, multidisciplinary scientific expertise to design and execute tailorable, scalable, and culturally aligned research. Our mission is that the AMES Research Center will be the nexus for translational military and emergency services health and wellness research implementation in the state of Georgia. https://research.kennesaw.edu/ames-research/