August 2023 Newsletter
PC: Brandon Moningka
Dear YS Community,
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.
Up and Coming
Volunteer Information Session - Th, 8/17
Learn all about what it takes to be a Young Storytellers volunteer at a free, virtual information session! RSVP here to join.
Programs Begin - M, 9/11
The start of classroom sessions.
Volunteer Recruitment
As we’re preparing for programs to start, we are actively looking for new volunteers!
Our volunteers are a crucial part of Young Storytellers. After each semester, students comment time and time again how their favorite part of YS was working with their mentor. If you or someone you know might be interested in helping bring a child’s story to life, find more information here!
Need more convincing? See firsthand the impact of being a Young Storytellers mentor in this vlog created by one of our amazing volunteers, Roland Buck III! Follow Roland along through a Big Show day at Dolores Huerta Middle School.
Additional editing by Saúl López
Making Young storytellers accessible
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.
Last month, we released an article about our developments and plans for the future. Missed it? Check it out here.
We’re excited to share that one of our goals has been met just in time for volunteer recruitment and training. We’ve combined all of our volunteer documents, links, and checklists into one digital place: a Volunteer Portal! Now a webpage, this will lower load times and make information easier to find for our current volunteers.
hear from our community
Meet Miracle Wright-Lindo (she/her), a Young Storytellers alumni and current Alumni Engagement intern!
Why do you stay connected to Young Storytellers?
As an alumni, it’s really important for me to be involved because this program has done so much for me and I wanna try to give back.
What have you enjoyed about this semester or school year so far?
I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone and learning more about the program.
Why is being a member of the YS team important to you?
Having the Alumni Engagement position means the world to me because I get to be a part of what I'd like to call the "heart" of YS. You can't do anything without a foundation and being able to have a front row seat in all it takes to run this amazing program is truly a blessing that I'm grateful for.
A word from our students
Art by: Shawn Ross
And now, a special treat: an excerpt from a story written by one of our 5th grade Script to Stage students! You can read the full version of Fake Friends by giving a monthly donation of any amount to join Story Club.
INT. RECORDING STUDIO - 11:30PM MONDAY NIGHT
WEST COAST DANTE, a rapper on the rise, is on the phone with this MOM.
WEST COAST DANTE
Hey Mom!
MOM
Hi baby! Just calling to check on you. How’s the album going?
WEST COAST DANTE
Great! I’m in the studio right now finishing up. I swear, Mom, once this album blows up, we aren’t gonna have to worry about anything.
MOM
Well then, if that’s the case, I’m going to let you get back to work!
WEST COAST DANTE
Love you, Mom. Bye!
West Coast Dante hangs up the phone and walks into the recording booth to lay down a verse. His two sound engineers FELIX and EGO and his producer DIEGO listen at the sound board.
WEST COAST DANTE (CONT'D)
(rapping)
You know I’m the man, you know I got bands/
Fist full of money, ain’t no holding hands.
FELIX
(interrupting)
Uhhhhhhhh, hasn’t someone said that before?
WEST COAST DANTE
(doubtful)
I don’t think so. I haven’t heard anybody say it before.
EGO
Nahhhhhh, I’m pretty sure someone’s said that before.
WEST COAST DANTE
(annoyed)
It’s okay, man, just let me do my thing.
WEST COAST DANTE (CONT'D)
(rapping)
I’m in the car/ It’s an uber ride/
I’m in the back/ With my funny guys
LIL’ JAY, West Coast Dante’s rival rapper, comes in hyped up and dancing. He dabs up the whole crew.
LIL’ JAY
Wassup, bruh!
WEST COAST DANTE
(suspicious)
What’s good?
LIL’ JAY
So you gonna let me hop on the mic or what? Lemme get on the mic, bruh!
WEST COAST DANTE
I don’t know, my album’s dropping this Friday and I need to focus and finish this final track. Plus I only got about 30 minutes of studio time left.
EGO
C’mon! Let him hop on the mic. It’s not even a big deal.
FELIX
Yeah, man, you’re practically done.
WEST COAST DANTE
(reluctant)
I mean, okay.
LIL’ JAY dances his way into the recording booth. He struggles with what to say once inside.
LIL’ JAY
(stuttering)
Uhhhhh I got, I got pants on, I got, I got jeans on, I got my Nike Airforces on.
WEST COAST DANTE and DIEGO cringe while EGO and FELIX hype LIL’ JAY up.
FELIX & EGO
Ayeee! Ayeeee! Ayeeee!
WEST COAST DANTE
Okay, I’m gonna start heading home now. I’ll see you guys later.
DIEGO
Me too, I’m getting tired.
West Coast Dante grabs his backpack and leaves the studio with Diego. Suddenly, Lil’ Jay gets a conniving look in his eye.
LIL’ JAY
Ya’ll ready to do this?
Felix and Ego rubs their hands together deviously.
To find out what happens next, join Story Club!
