Real Stories
Real Change
PRogramming and professional development
Real Stories from teens
Our programs integrate authentic, real stories from teens to equip schools, teachers, and other youth-serving organizations with the skills to interact more effectively with the teens they serve and help develop supportive, culturally-responsive learning communities. Our mission includes elevating the perspectives of young adults and teens of color for the benefit of others.
AMPLIFYING YOUTH VOICES
Our education-focused training approach aids teachers, after-school staff, counselors, and other professionals in enhancing their engagement with young adults and teens. Meanwhile, our youth writing programs, initiatives, and publications provide teenagers with the platform to express their perspectives for the benefit of other students.
SocIal emotional learning programming
Programming and professional development for
adults who work with teens.
95% of educators state that our programs help students understand sel
92% of educators feel more equipped to establish a space for students to discusss racial issues
our initiatives have impacted more than two million teens & Young people
Happening Now
46th annual summer writing workshop
How do we make the world, or some aspect of it, better?
YC is recruiting a group of teen writers who will write memoir-style and reported stories about making change though writing lessons, discussions, field trips, and group activities. The workshop will be held in-person at YC’s office, from July 7-Aug. 14th and meets Monday through Thursday from 11AM-4PM for six weeks. Apply by May 9th!
YC Spring Benefit: tickets available now!
YC’s 3rd Annual Spring Benefit will bring together 200 close friends and supporters for a cocktail reception, dinner, and moving speeches, honoring five important New Yorkers. Please join us in supporting YC’s year-round writing program, publishing, and education programs. Funds raised will go to supporting YC’s unique programs amplifying youth voice.
Story of the Week: ”MY FANTASTIC FANDOM“
Exploring your identity is a big part of being a teenager, but some teens struggle to find spaces where they can express themselves freely. The author of this week’s story knows she can’t share her emerging trans identity with her conservative Muslim family: “I was expected to go to the mosque whenever I could, keep my hair short, have an arranged marriage.”
The lessons provided in the YC program were well-organized and thought-provoking. I appreciated listening to and reading about my students’ views on how to address the circumstances of the stories we read and for how they were not judgmental of the others or each other while engaging in student-led discussions of the stories.
— TEACHER