EVERY TEEN HAS
A STORY TO TELL
At Youth Communication, writing is a pathway to self-discovery and connection.
We help teens transform their lived experiences into powerful writing that builds confidence, wellbeing, and the skills to thrive in school, career, and in life.
We equip educators and mentors with curricula and training to harness those stories to build connection, belonging and strengthen learning communities.
Together, youth voices and supportive adults create a ripple effect of understanding and opportunity that reaches far beyond the page.
featured PROGRAMS and resources
95% of educators state that our programs help students develop social and emotional skills
our initiatives have reached more than two million teens
92% of educators feel more equipped to establish a space for students to discuss challenging issues
Happening Now
Story of the Week: LOOKING FOR MY GROOVE
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be terribly isolating for teens. This week’s story is by a teen who broke through that isolation and found a therapist with whom she could talk about her swirling thoughts and racing heart. Zaria’s story breaks down how therapy worked for her. She recounts the conversations with her therapist that helped her reveal some of her most guilty thoughts and also reckons with the need to keep pushing. The story ends with Zaria focusing more on playing the guitar. “I noticed that when I played I wasn’t worried or battling my own imagination.” We hope readers benefit from her introspection, her honesty, and her comfort in music.
Expanding the YC Ripple Effect with YC CONNECT!
In 2025 alone, YC stories reached over 200,000 educators and 50,000 young people through our programs, trainings, and partnerships.
Now, we are expanding this impact even further through YC CONNECT, a free, open digital living library that will make nearly 10,000 teen stories and educator resources more accessible nationwide.
Let’s develop YC Connect together!
Explore the full impact report and see the YC ripple effect.
FREE PD for nycps staff
YC is partnering with the NYCPS Office of Safety and Youth Development (OSYD) to provide professional development for their Respect for All (RFA) program.
We will be offering free and CTLE-accrediting PD to all NYCPS staff throughout the school year. Click here to learn more about dates and registering.
The lessons provided in the YC program were well-organized and thought-provoking. I appreciated listening to and reading about my students’ views on how to address the circumstances of the stories we read and for how they were not judgmental of the others or each other while engaging in student-led discussions of the stories.
— nyc public school TEACHER