Healing Through Writing
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December 10, 2024
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Join the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association for an online Open Mic featuring two outstanding poets:
Chuck Brickley — acclaimed for his haiku collection Earthshine, Chuck brings a contemplative voice grounded in nature, family, and quiet revelation.
Crystal Simone Smith — author of Runagate, Crystal explores themes of identity, justice, and the power of brief poetic form — and has even received a fellowship to research African American haiku.
The event will include readings from both Chuck and Crystal, followed by an extended open mic hour where attendees are invited to share their own work, spoken word, or haiku.
Whether you’re a seasoned poet or intrigued by the idea of listening and sharing, this evening promises rich reflection and vibrant community. We hope you’ll bring a poem, a voice, or simply your presence.
Please complete the registration form below to receive a Zoom link to join the workshop! Expect to receive the link in the days leading up to the workshop on November 15.
Note: We’ll be recording this free online session so that it’ll have another life on YouTube and the NVHA website. Please remember to turn off your camera if you’d prefer not to be seen!
Copyright © 2025 Nick VIrgilio Haiku Association. All rights reserved.
Alfred taught English to junior and senior high school students in New Jersey and Massachusetts prior to working for the municipal government of the City of Camden, New Jersey. He began working with the City of Camden Department of Planning & Development, Division of Housing Services, as a Cost Estimator for Property Improvement in 1984.
He spent the next thirty-eight years working in both the Division of Housing Services, and the Finance Department Bureau of Grants Management, helping the City administer state and federally funded affordable housing projects in Camden.
Alfred spent ten years working with the Bureau of Grants Management, where he reviewed and evaluated grant applications and proposals for funding from non-profit and for- profit housing developers. These agencies included St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, Heart of Camden, Camden County OEO, Habitat for Humanity,
Camden Lutheran Housing, RPM Development and others. He also worked with social service agencies such as Dooley House, Respond Inc., Sikora House, Center for Family Services, and Volunteers of America, that applied for grant funding.
He also played a significant role in the planning and implementation of the Annual Consolidated Plan grant application submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development each year. The Bureau holds an annual grant funding seminar along with public meetings and technical assistance sessions concerning the C-Plan.
Working for the City of Camden Division of Housing Services Alfred also served as the coordinator of the federal funded HOPWA housing Program for 14 years.
HOPWA funds provided safe, affordable, secure, housing for persons with HIV/AIDS, by issuing housing vouchers to their participants. He managed the delivery of services to 80-90 clients a year, covering Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties.
During his time working for the City of Camden Mr. Dansbury was a member of the CPAC Homeless Network Planning Committee, the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Advisory Committee and United Neighbors of Whitman Park.
Outside of his work with the City of Camden, Alfred worked as an Adjunct Instructor of Reading Skills and Writing Skills at Camden County College, teaching at both the Camden and Blackwood campuses. In 2022 Alfred published,
“The Strength of Courage” a novel he embarked on as a graduate student in Rowan University’s M.A. in Writing program in 2014-2018.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism from Rutgers University, a Master’s of Arts degree in Business Administration from Eastern University, a Master’s of Arts in Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s of Arts in Writing from Rowan University.