How do we make the world, or some aspect of it, better? In part by recognizing a problem, voicing your concerns about it, joining with others who see it as a problem, and working to improve the situation. Change happens through advocacy, e.g., sending petitions, starting new organizations, talking to decision makers (whether that’s your school principal or an elected official), even running for office—as well as activism: marches, protests, boycotts, and other direct actions. Writing can be an important part of both advocacy and activism. 

Youth Communication has been helping teens tell their stories since 1980. We publish two award-winning magazines (now online) and republish many stories in our books and curricula, which are used in classrooms and after-school programs across the country. Youth Communication stories are also often republished by our media partners such as The Nation and Chalkbeat. Our stories have helped lead to changes in things as varied as foster care placement, condom distribution at schools, how teachers talk about race in the classroom, and school dress codes. 

Join a group of 10-12 young people who will explore making change in Youth Communication’s 46th annual summer writing workshop. You will participate in writing lessons, discussions, field trips, and group activities. You will write memoir-style and reported stories about making change. (Sorry, no fiction or poetry.) 

You’ll learn narrative writing techniques along with research and interviewing skills, work one-on-one with a professional adult editor, and share your work with your peers. Participants will publish at least one story in our online magazines.

We especially want to publish stories that show readers an example of teens standing up for something that matters to them. It’s OK if you can’t point to a policy changed or a neighborhood transformed: Sometimes activism and advocacy plant a seed that doesn’t bear fruit right away. It’s OK if you don’t consider yourself an activist or advocate now: We are interested in your attempts, or even your plans, to fight for change. 

Our workshop is a safe space for open conversations. Guest speakers and field trips will deepen our understanding of advocacy and activism in fields such as foster care, immigration, and climate, as will hearing from your fellow teen writers. No prior writing experience is required, but you must be able to attend for all six weeks and will be expected to complete at least one publishable story. The writing process is rigorous, involving many drafts, but with lots of support and guidance from an editor. We will provide laptops and writer notebooks. All students, regardless of citizenship status, can participate.

The workshop will be held in person at our midtown office on West 38th Street, and runs July 7 through August 14, 2025. The workshop meets Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the six weeks, and in-person attendance is required. 

Applications are due May 9th. We will respond to all applicants by May 23rd and schedule group interviews with prospective candidates during the following week, May 26-30. Note: Previous and current YC writers are not eligible to apply. 

All participants receive a $1,500 stipend for completing at least one story in the workshop. A daily two-trip MetroCard will also be provided.

We will respond to all applicants by May 23 and schedule group interviews with prospective candidates during the following week May 26-30.