June 2025 Newsletter: Another Successful School Year!
As we wrap up our school year and head into the summer, a time that’s usually meant for celebration and rest has been filled with sadness, anger, and unease. The immigration raids and military presence in Los Angeles have posed a very real danger on our streets for those that we are committed to serve.
But times like these are why our organization exists, to lift up the voices of people who don’t often get heard. We fervently believe that the voices of our young people will make the world a better place. We remain steadfast as ever in our mission to support our students, volunteers, and their families.
The Young Storytellers team at a Story Lab training for educators and after school program leaders.
We’re filled with gratitude for such a wonderful and joyful school year with our students: this past year alone, we enlisted the help of 300 volunteers to reach 490 students. That’s 60 Big Shows that happened all throughout Los Angeles!
And while classrooms may be winding down, the creativity, imagination, and inspiration of our young people never takes a break. That’s why Young Storytellers is thrilled to keep stories flowing through our Story Lab program, reaching LAUSD summer schools and even out-of-state partners like Boys and Girls Clubs in Las Vegas! Our impact is stretching farther than ever—and we couldn’t be more proud.
But the celebration doesn’t stop here! Grab your sunblock, your favorite beach towel or chair, and get ready for a splash of highlights from some of the cool, fun, and meaningful projects we’ve worked on.
As always, thank you for helping us amplify the bold, inspiring, and emerging voices of young storytellers everywhere.
When Two Generations Meet, Beautiful Stories Happen
This year, we teamed up with Bresee Foundation’s Monarca Program to launch an intergenerational storytelling pilot where young adults and seniors worked together to write their own powerful personal stories. This was the first time in our programs that both mentors and mentees wrote stories, and the first time that stories were written entirely in Spanish. The magic came to life at The Big Show, where actors performed each story, showcasing the beautiful and incredible journeys of participants from all ages.
One of the seniors shared she felt like a super star! Thank you to each storyteller and actor, and the Breese Foundation for this amazing collaboration.
The Time We Went on a Field Trip to Spotify
Big news! We recently took 20 amazing students from Highland Park Continuation School to the Spotify Studios! They recorded video podcasts about the songs that shaped them—and even laid down their own demo tracks in the Music Studio. They also got to attend a career panel from professionals at Spotify across different departments, from Facilities to Podcast Partnerships, to Sound Engineering.
Experiences like this remind us how powerful it is for students to see creative careers in action. Huge shoutout to Spotify for making dreams feel real, one story (and song!) at a time.
Filling The Gap: Storytelling for Young People Navigating a Changing World
Have you checked out our latest report “Growing Pains” in collaboration with National Research Group? If not, here’s your reminder! The report explores what Gen Alpha is up against—from tech shaping their worldview, to living in what feels like a constant state of crisis, to navigating content overload. We also highlight a big opportunity: mentorship in storytelling. Young people need guidance now more than ever to feel seen, heard, and empowered. Dive into the insights and see how we’re working to support their growth and well-being!
Proceeds from Chekhov Play Supported Young Storytellers
This spring, artists' Remy Ortiz and Delia Baseman staged a Chekhov play- with all proceeds benefiting Young Storytellers and Gender Justice LA. We’re grateful to longtime Young Storytellers Head Mentor Dan Cathcart for making this connection possible. In a time when opportunities in the arts can feel limited, Remy chose to create space and give back.
“I’ve seen firsthand how supporting young voices plants seeds for vibrant futures in the arts,” he shared.
This is what keeps our programs alive: artists lifting each other up, neighbors believing in young voices, and communities turning their passion into impact. Whether you’re hosting a performance, running a race, or celebrating a milestone-there’s always a way to give back and help us continue this work.
Together, we can ensure every young storyteller is heard.
