WESTPORT — A local writers’ group plans to use a state grant to help provide instruction to people who face challenges or have survived hardships.

The Westport Writers’ Workshop was awarded $8,300 from CT Humanities for its outreach program.

The workshop is one of the groups to share in more than $1.2 million awarded to cultural organizations in the 26th state Senate District, state Sen. Ceci Maher announced earlier this month. 

Seventeen of those recipients in the arts, history and humanities fields are based in Westport.

The writers’ group plans to use its grant to support its program where “writing is taught to individuals undergoing specific challenges or who have survived some type of hardship,” according to a press statement. “The grant will help fund volunteer instructors to visit various communities to foster healing and growth through story.”

The workshop in the past has provided complementary programs for groups such as the Center for Empowerment and Education, Homes for the Brave, Caroline House, Harlem Village Academies and women with breast cancer.

Groups interested in participating in the program should email: info@westportwriters.org.

For more information, visit the Westport Writers’ Workshop website.