On a brisk Tuesday night in the fall they travel across town to cross generations and experiences.
"Young and old, inner city, outer city," said Douglas Gooddee, from Albany.
Some are college students from Siena.
"I've come to know a lot of the people here," said Adderlin Paberas, a Siena freshman.
Some are adults from the city.
"We work together and we help one another," said Patricia Humbert McQueen.
Siena Professor John Harden teaches the creative writing class not in Loudonville but at the St. John's, St. Ann's Outreach Center in the south end of Albany.
For the students the class is for credit.
"Combining our two minds to come up with something that's great," said Abby Carpenter, a Siena student.
For the adults, it is a free chance to improve their writing.
"We converse, we debate, we open a dialogue and it enhances my writing," said Gooddee.
Gooddee already has a full time job. He is in the class in the hopes he will someday write a short story.
Humbert McQueen's goals are a little different. "My dream job is to own my own daycare, my own home and to open the doors for all those who are lost," she said.
She is part of the GED college prep program at St. John's, St. Ann's.
"For a lot of my students what gets in the way is economics or personal. I've tried to remove those barriers to show them they can still learn," said Sylvia Jimison, the GED prep program director.
For Humbert McQueen the journey has required a load of determination. The class provides some more writing practice that could help her along the path.
"I'm looking forward to better things in life to move forward and do better," she said.
It is things, like her attitude, that are an added lesson.
"I've learned life isn't what I expected it to be," said Carpenter.
That is exactly what Professor Harden was hoping for. "When you write with someone you are exploring their world view and examining your own world view," he said.
"I cried the first time I saw the bus pull up. To see a Siena bus in a neighborhood like this, it really made me cry," said Jimison. "It's a dream come true because it's bringing college to the community."
The adults and young adults only live about 15 minutes from each other. This program is highlighting the space that brings them together, not the distance that keeps them apart.
"By writing, by communicating, I'm allowing you to share in my life story," said Harden. "Somehow we are all in the same boat together."
The GED program is always looking for volunteers.
