It’s officially “Back to School” season. For our students, that means finding their way in a new classroom and taking in all that their new grade has to offer. But did you know that you can go back to school as well, even if you’re not a student?

We continue to find new ways to live out our mission statement and we are always looking for individuals that align with the work we do. Keep reading to learn more about community members that exemplify who we are and ways to get involved as we gear up for next semester! You’re guaranteed to be inspired.

Spring semester has officially begun, and there’s so much to look forward to. Exactly one year ago, we shared our new Strategic Plan. In 2023, we focused on laying a strong foundation to expand our impact. This year, we’re excited to start piloting new tools and maximizing our direct service to schools around Los Angeles. Keep reading to learn exactly what’s going on at Young Storytellers this Spring, and all of the ways you can get involved!

It’s been such an eventful year at Young Storytellers, and we’re so grateful for your support in making it all happen! To read more about our accomplishments, our programs, and our team, check out our latest Impact Report for the 2022-23 school year.

As you may have heard, after a year-long process led by the Young Storytellers Board in collaboration with the Young Storytellers staff, we were able to introduce our new Executive Director to our community at this year’s Biggest Show: Dr. Gary Hardie, Jr.! He’s an experienced nonprofit leader and policy advocate, and we’re so excited for everyone to get to know him.

A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone that made Biggest Show a success, from the cast, to all those who attended in person or tuned in online, to our sponsors, to our volunteers and staff that make Young Storytellers happen - and of course most of all, our amazing students! We were blown away by everyone’s support last night; with your help, we were able to raise $160,000 so we can keep our programs going and keep raising the voices of young people.

Starting from staff discussions, to conversations with our board and community members, to educating ourselves through research and trainings, we wrote the YS Worldview as a living guide for our work. Since we wrote this as a changing document, we’re committed to regularly reflecting on what we’ve accomplished so far and sharing our goals so that we are addressing equity in every part of the organization.

This summer, in partnership with Towne Street Theatre (TST) we had a hybrid five-week Intro to Playwriting course for our alumni. Towne Street is a Black female-led theater company that offers a safe haven for a variety of artists so they may freely develop and experiment with theater without limitations. YS and TST both have a mission to inspire and educate others while allowing them to be themselves.

Summer may be coming to an end, but here at Young Storytellers, we know the fun is just beginning. That’s right, it’s time to kick off fall programming! We’re looking forward to another fall semester full of new stories, new friendships, and new opportunities for our volunteers and alumni. Continue reading for important updates and to hear what members of our community have to say about their time with YS.

In our continued efforts to better meet the needs of the people we work with, we’ve begun using new tools to increase equitable access to our digital materials and information. This means making sure that anyone who interacts with Young Storytellers online is able to get information and engage with us, regardless of ability, age, language, or access to technology.

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, Young Storytellers hosted our first ever annual Day of Giving. This was a one-day initiative to fundraise $25,000 and secure 100 volunteer commitments for the 2023-2024 school year.

Learn more about the YS family and their experiences with Young Storytellers, and what’s coming up in the months ahead.

Learn more about the YS family and their experiences with Young Storytellers, and what’s coming up in the months ahead.