EVERY TEEN HAS
A STORY TO TELL
At Youth Communication, writing is a pathway to self-discovery and connection.
We help teens transform their lived experiences into powerful writing that builds confidence, wellbeing, and the skills to thrive in school, career, and in life.
We equip educators and mentors with curricula and training to harness those stories to build connection, belonging and strengthen learning communities.
Together, youth voices and supportive adults create a ripple effect of understanding and opportunity that reaches far beyond the page.
featured PROGRAMS and resources
95% of educators state that our programs help students develop social and emotional skills
our initiatives have reached more than two million teens
92% of educators feel more equipped to establish a space for students to discuss challenging issues
Happening Now
Story of the Week: BEGGING FOR SCRAPS AS TPS GETS TAKEN AWAY
This week’s story follows a 17-year-old Ukrainian refugee whose family has lived safely in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status since 2022.
As TPS protections face an uncertain future, she reflects on studying America’s history of immigration and refugee policy while experiencing that uncertainty firsthand.
The writer’s story reveals the deeply personal impact immigration policy can have on young people and their families. Read her powerful perspective on living with an uncertain future.
from the archive: teens write about 9/11
Twenty-five years ago, the attacks of 9/11 weren’t history for New York City teens—they were the terrifying reality of that day and the aftermath. Youth Communication published vivid accounts by more than two dozen teens that now make history come alive. Students write about losing family members, barely escaping from the buildings and the neighborhood, and how the attacks disrupted their sense of security. Several students were alarmed by the anti-Muslim vitriol and worried about the U.S. being drawn into new wars.
Explore the Impact Behind Youth Voices
Discover how Youth Communication’s stories, programs, and partnerships create lasting change for young people and the communities that support them. Our 2025 Impact Report highlights a year of youth storytelling, educator engagement, and meaningful connections that extend far beyond the page.
Read and download the report to explore the voices, milestones, and moments that shaped YC’s impact.
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.
— nyc public school TEACHER