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NYC Youth Journalism Coalition

A monthly newsletter of the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition

🌷 April 2026

Hi Subscriber First Name!

Spring has arrived! We definitely feel the warmer energy in the air as we’re reflecting on the success of J-Week last month. Thank you for everything you did to bring it to life, it wouldn’t have been possible without our collective efforts.

Keep reading for the latest updates from the YJC community, including upcoming student opportunities and a spotlight on recent student reporting.

🎞️ Highlights from J-Week

From our letter campaign to City Council budget briefing, we had an exciting week of action and generated momentum towards the next phase of Journalism for All. Check out a glimpse of what we achieved together in our first J-Week:

We gathered 803 unique signatures of people living and working in NYC on our community letter addressed to Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Menin, and the City Council demanding support for youth journalism and the expansion of Journalism for All. We’ve delivered the letter and will share updates on their response.

We organized open houses at journalism classes in all five boroughs: Thomas A. Edison CTE High School, Gotham Professional Arts Academy, The Lab School for Finance & Tech, UA Maker Academy, and Port Richmond High School. City leaders and YJC partners were invited to learn from students’ experiences and see the impact of journalism education firsthand.

Speaker Menin welcomed a delegation of student journalists to cover her pre-stated press conference directly from City Hall’s Red Room. Student leader Sara V. worked with reporter Katie Honan from The City to cover the legislation the City Council passed later that afternoon.

Students from 20 schools came together at our Write-a-Thon. We competed in a journalistic Write-Off and learned about the power of op-eds and letter-writing for advocacy. Special thank yous to Katina for organizing the Write-Off; to Kelly, Erin, and Jill for judging; and student fellows from The Nation Fund for co-leading the op-ed workshop!

🤝 2026 YJC Member Survey:
We want to hear from YOU!

As a coalition, it’s integral to our work that we are united in our approach. Our Engagement Working Group has been collaborating on an annual survey for coalition members to share your thoughts and feedback. This is for both adults and students who are part of our Google Group and/or partners of Journalism for All.

We want to know what makes your membership valuable and what you’re hoping we can accomplish in our work together. Whether you’ve been with us a long time or just a few days, your input matters! Fill out the survey to be entered in our raffle. If you’ve only been subscribed to The Inkling and are interested in joining the coalition, submit our interest form.

đź“’ SJAG in the Field

During Spring Break, we joined student reporters from The Bell for a behind-the-scenes tour of The New York Times printing plant in Queens. We explored the history of the press and left feeling inspired by the power of journalism in action. Pictured are YJC student leaders Sara V. and Chiara C. posing with a freshly printed issue of USA Today!

We stopped by CUNY Newmark to have lunch with the student journalists and advisor from Salt Lake City’s The Highland Rambler. It reminded us how connected this work is across communities. Aside from our shared interest in journalism, meeting teens from outside NYC made us want to learn more; they were shocked to hear about our daily commutes without a car, and we were fascinated by what it’s like living in a city surrounded by mountains.

đź“° Announcing J4A Summer Newsroom Partners

The next phase of our Journalism for All pilot is just around the corner. This summer, 43 students from 25 of our schools will be working in newsrooms across the city. They will be paid by the city as part of a new Journalism for All sector-focus in the Summer Youth Employment Program.

We’re grateful to the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the New York Center for Interpersonal Development, and YJC’s program associate, Sophie, for leading this partnership!

Our inaugural host partners are: Amsterdam News, BQE Media/Queens Ledger, BRIC TV, Broadway Education Alliance/Playbill, Bushwick Daily, Capital B, Disabled Journalists Association, Documented, The Indypendent, PBS SRL, and Vamos Forward. Press release coming soon, in the mean time please be in touch with Sophie if you want to learn more.

🎉 Save the Date!

Before the school year wraps up, we’re bringing our community together for two more special gatherings: an adults-only happy hour and an end of year picnic in the park for the whole community. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. We hope to see you there!

🌟 YJC Happy Hour (21+): Tuesday, May 26 at 5:30–7:30 PM - location TBD

🌟 End of Year Picnic: Saturday, June 6 at 3:00–5:00 PM – Central Park

✨ Student Opportunities

Press Pass NYC: What It’s Like to Work at a College Student Newspaper
Date: Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00-6:00PM
Open to: High school journalists
In the next installment of Press Pass NYC’s Jim Dwyer Reporting Workshops, get an inside look at life on a college newspaper staff. Hear from three current student reporters as they share what it’s really like to cover stories at the next level and what to expect from journalism beyond high school.

National Museum of the American Latino: Young Ambassadors Program (YAP)
Application Deadline: Friday, April 24
Open to: Rising 12th grade students, nationwide
A leadership program for students interested in Latino arts, sciences, and humanities. Participants travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long seminar at the Smithsonian, where they are exposed to a wide array of academic disciplines promoting higher education, an exploration of Latino history and culture, and an understanding of civic and community engagement. After the seminar, students participate in a virtual community practicum in their local region.

Press Pass NYC: Student Editor Bootcamp
Application Deadline: Monday, April 27
Open to: Current 9th-11th grade NYCPS students working on school newspapers
For one week in August, students learn strategies to enhance their school newspapers and attend trips to a variety of news organizations. Students receive a stipend and lunch.

Girls Write Now: Collaboratory Journeys
Application Deadline: Thursday, April 30
Open to: Ages 14-24, nationwide
Each “journey” is a package of writing course content, mentorship, and community experiences. Journeys can be light-touch or intensive, short or long-term, asynchronous or in real time. Applications are also open for mentors ages 25+.

Guggenheim Museum: Art Detectives Program
Application Deadline: Thursday, April 30
Open to: NYC high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade

For students interested in the arts and sciences, receive a $850 stipend while studying with a variety of museum conservators and scientists working in the fields of art conservation and cultural heritage science.

Oyate Group: Beyond Rising Internship Program
Application Deadline: Friday, May 1
Open to: Undocumented youth ages 16-20

Interns will work 30 hours per week in administrative offices at local colleges and universities, receive a weekly stipend of $500 via VISA gift cards, and participate in additional enrichment activities focused on workforce development, financial empowerment, and access to higher education.

Wayfinder: Future-Ready Storytelling Challenge
Application Deadline: Friday, May 1
Open to: 9th-12th grade students, nationwide
Students can submit a 1-2 minute original video envisioning their generation’s positive impact on the future for the chance to win up to $2,500.

Media Power Youth: Youth Advisory Board
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 3
Open to: Rising 9th-12th graders, nationwide
Inspire youth to use media in ways that build positive relationships and community well-being.

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC): Summer Bridge Internship
Application Deadline: Friday, May 6
Open to: Rising 8th-12th graders + rising college freshmen

16 hours of paid (stipend based) leadership training, job readiness skills building, financial literacy, college and career workshops, service projects (in KHCC's food pantry and 4 community gardens), and an introduction to entrepreneurship with a focus on culminating 'Shark Tank' style projects. Participants are also offered group support, day trips (swimming, biking), and an overnight college trip to various campuses in New York state.

Pulitzer Center: Fighting Words Poetry Contest
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 10
Open to:
K-12 students and young adults ages 18-24, global
Submit a poem exploring poetry’s relationship with current events and the issues impacting our communities for the chance to win a cash prize and publication on the Pulitzer Center website.

The Service Center (TSC): Summer Internship
Application Deadline: Friday, May 15
Open to: Rising 9th-12th graders
Interns will help organize Brooklyn-based volunteer service projects for kids, teens, and families.

YouthBridge-NY: Fellowship
Application Deadline: Friday, May 15
Open to: Rising 11th graders in NYC
Participate in a one-year fellowship with high school juniors from across NYC who are passionate about building understanding, addressing bias, and taking action to improve their communities.

New York Historical: Tech Scholars- Podcasting
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 17
Open to: 9th-12th grade students in the NYC metro area
For one week in July, collaborate with other teens to create a season of the New York Historical teen podcast, Through Fresh Eyes. Students will hone skills in history, storytelling, and technology as you research a topic; interview an expert; and write, record, and edit your own podcast episode.

The Bell: Summer Youth Podcast Academy
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 17
Open to: All NYC public high school students and recent graduates
A three-week immersive summer workshop for students to create original podcast episodes and receive mentorship from industry professionals. Students receive a $500 stipend and daily lunch allowance. Info sessions are coming up on Wednesday, April 22 and Monday, May 4.  

Press Pass NYC: New York City High School Journalism Retreat
Date: Monday, May 18
Open to: High school student journalists and advisors
A day of collaborative learning hosted at the UFT Headquarters. Students and advisers will share ideas and learn from one another to be able to return to their schools with plans to grow and enhance their school newspapers. 

NPR: Student Podcast Challenge
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 31
Open to: Young storytellers in grades 4–12
Top entries will be broadcast nationally on NPR programs, with winning schools receiving an official trophy and certificate. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, a new award category will also recognize stories that reflect on what it means to be an American today.

Theatre Development Fund (TDF): Graduation Gift
Open to: Graduating NYCPS students
TDF offers free memberships to graduating seniors from NYC public and charter schools. This offer allows students to purchase steeply discounted tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows, with prices ranging from $11 to $62.50.

Guggenheim Museum: Teen Circle
Open to: NYC teens ages 13-18

Membership grants free access to the museum along with four guests as well as access to exclusive events, performances and other offers for you and your friends.

🔦 Spotlight on Student Reporting

Check out our Newsstand featuring school publications across the city!

New State Policy Eliminates Regents Exams as a Graduation Requirement

Zoey Huie reports on the Board of Regents’ new graduation framework and what it means for pathways to graduation and required exams.

The Verdict, Cardozo High School

444 Days in Captivity: U.S. and Iran Through a Former Hostage’s Eyes

Marlow Levine shares the story of her grandfather’s experience as a formerly held hostage during the 1979 Iranian Revolution and his perspective on the current tensions.

The Survey, Brooklyn Technical High School

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