Young Storytellers equips young people to be the driving force of their own narratives. We’re passionate about bringing people together and creating stories to raise the voices of those who don’t often get heard. We believe that when a young person understands the power of their own story — made of their unique background, culture, race, gender, sexuality, immigration status, geographic location, and economic statues — it creates a more empathetic and equitable future for everyone. We raise voices, one story at a time.
Young Storytellers works with students in elementary, middle, and high school. In elementary school, students write scripts that are completely their own; in middle school, students write stories about challenges that they face; and in high school, students explore how various communities are portrayed in the media and craft stories that they feel represent their self-identified communities. Students in each program work with volunteer mentors, and every student gets to see their work performed by professional actors. Young Storytellers programs are designed around Common Core standards, integrate Social and Emotional Learning activities, and include components of Learning for Justice’s Social Justice Standards.