Youth Communications

Youth Communication is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth media organization based in New York City that promotes youth literacy and civic engagement through youth-led media. The organization was founded in 1980 by youth rights pioneer Keith Hefner, who won a MacArthur Fellowship for his work with Youth Communication in 1989.

Youth Communication seeks to help marginalized youth develop their full potential through reading and writing so that they can succeed in school and at work and contribute to their communities. It publishes anthologies of stories by teens, many of which also include lesson guides to help teachers and other adults use the stories to help teens strengthen reading, writing, and social/emotional skills. Youth Communication also publishes two print magazines and associated websites: YCteen (formerly called New Youth Connections), a general interest magazine for urban teens; and Represent (formerly Foster Care Youth United), a magazine written by and for young people in foster care. Hundreds of stories and lessons by teens in the program are also available on the organization's websites.

Youth Communication counts many notable alumni, including the authors Edwidge Danticat (Breath Eyes Memory), Veronica Chambers (Mama's Girl), and Gina Trapani (LifeHacker), the hip hop writer and actor Bönz Malone, and the reporters Rachel Swarns (The New York Times), and Mohamad Bazzi (Newsday).

Youth Communication has won numerous awards for its educational publications. In 2001 it won a Coming Up Taller Award from the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities. In 2007, it was among over 530 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

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