Young Storytellers

Our heart goes out to all those that have been affected by the fires in Los Angeles, and we're doing what we can to support our schools and students. We have adapted our curriculum into user-friendly lesson plans and materials in embedded and downloadable slideshows for increased accessibility for substitute teachers, organizations, and educators. Middle School materials are available now on our website for anyone to access, and we expect materials for Elementary School to be finished very soon. https://lnkd.in/gNYgHJW3 We’re continuing to check in with our schools, volunteers, and partners to assess needs, connect with resources as we’re able, and make programming adjustments as necessary. Additionally, if you are able to contribute financially, we have listed the GoFundMe pages for our community members on our website: https://lnkd.in/gNYgHJW3

Many thanks to the?U.S. Bank?Foundation for its support of our Script to Stage Program. We recently received a #CommunityPossible grant, which will help us expand our efforts to empower young voices through storytelling.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Young Storytellers! We're so grateful for everyone that's part of our community that's made it possible for our young people to tell their stories. We hope you get to spend this holiday season with those you love.

Not every space allows young people to feel brave to express their emotions and let their imaginations run wild. That's why we do what we do! From our curriculum, to our carefully chosen activities, to the way we train our volunteers, our intention is to make sure our students (and volunteers) can bring their full selves to their classrooms and their stories. Translation: "I liked meeting my mentor and also writing my story because I was able to express my emotions in that wonderful story I wrote"

Talk about first date jitters! ???? Check out this script excert written by two of our amazing 5th grade students! If you want to read more written by our super creative students, you can join Story Club with a monthly donation of ANY amount: https://lnkd.in/gqhfTCAY

Though we use script writing as a tool to teach our students about stories, we're not just trying to create a new generation of writers, directors, or creatives. Our programs empower young people to use the art of storytelling to explore their identities, impact the people around them, and create a more just and equitable world. By making sure our curriculum is steeped in social and emotional learning, we set our students up for success both in and out of the classroom. PC: Jessica Perez Photo taken on Tongva and Chumash land

We're thrilled to be part of The Achievery, a free digital learning platform by AT&T! K-12 students, get ready to learn in the most fun way possible with free education content from Young Storytellers. You can do our activities and lessons with or without the guidance of a guardian or teacher. Sign up for free at https://lnkd.in/g777NNEt PC: Brandon Moningka Photo taken on Tongva and Chumash land

If you work for a company, large or small, it's possible your donations of time or money to Young Storytellers may be eligible for a matching gift by your employer! This means that whatever you give to us can have an even greater impact. Reach out to your HR (Human Resources) or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department to find out if a matching program exists at your company. PC: Jessica Perez Photo taken on Tongva and Chumash land

At the end of every semester, we continually hear from students how much they valued working with their mentor. Did you know that it costs $500 to fund the screening and processing of volunteers to ensure that our programs are safe and inclusive for everyone? Help us continue to provide top quality support and training to our incredible volunteer community by donating to Young Storytellers today at https://lnkd.in/edF4snUw PC: Jessica Perez @jsscprz Photo taken on Tongva and Chumash land

We're pleased to announce that this year's recipient of our Community Gift is the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy! The Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy is a Tongva led organization with the purpose of stewarding the lands of Tovaangar — the traditional native lands of the greater Los Angeles basin. The Conservancy's mission includes receiving and managing land back, building community for Native people, practicing traditional ceremonies, creating a native archive, and rematriating the lands by returning to native culture and ecosystems. Please check them out, donate to them, and spread the word! https://www.tongva.land/ In 2020, we began giving financial gifts to local organizations each year to highlight their wonderful work and share the resources we have, especially with nonprofits that are BIPOC-led, BIPOC-serving, and those that provide services that address the overall wellness of our students. Nominations come from our community, and the recipient is selected by the Awards and Gifts Committee (consisting of Young Storytellers volunteers, staff, board, alum, donors, and supporters). We're grateful to do work alongside so many dedicated and life-changing nonprofits.