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NYC Youth Journalism Coalition

A monthly newsletter of the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition

⛱️ July 2026

Hi Subscriber First Name!

We hope you’re staying cool and enjoying the summer. Read on to learn about our newly launched summer internship program through Journalism for All, our visit to Democracy Now!, a coalition jobs board for full-time roles, student opportunities, and a spotlight on recent student reporting.

📰 J4A Internship Launches

Left– Student interns working at Bushwick Daily. Photo: Alec Meeker.
Right– Student interns working at Vamos Forward. Photo: Marlene Peralta.

We officially launched the Journalism for All Summer Newsroom Internship with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development!

36 student journalists from our Journalism for All schools are working in 11 professional, local newsrooms across New York City. The launch establishes the first journalism-focused pathway in DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program, connecting classroom learning with the professional news industry.

Learn more in our press release!

🎥 YJC visits Democracy Now!

Photos: Kouross Esmaeli, Democracy Now!

Last week, we visited Democracy Now! for a taping of their daily, global, independent news hour. Our group included elementary through college students, parents, and educators! We met co-hosts Amy Goodman and Nermeen Shaikh, toured the studio, and participated in a workshop in media literacy in the context of independent news organizations.

Thank you so much to Kouross Esmaeli, Education Programs Manager, for hosting, Amy and Nermeen for sharing your wisdom with us, and the entire team for welcoming us into your studio! If you are interested in bringing your class, sign up for the Teach Democracy Now! email list.

📌 Youth Journalism Jobs Board

There are a few full-time roles available across the coalition. Please share with your networks!

YJC Community Outreach & Engagement, NYC Civic Corps

We’re recruiting a Community Outreach & Engagement NYC Civic Corps Member to join our team from September to June! We’re looking for someone who loves connecting with people and cares about our mission to expand access to journalism opportunities for all NYC youth. The Corps Member will welcome new members into our coalition, support community events, and cultivate ongoing engagement (like writing this newsletter!) while gaining first-hand exposure to our non-profit operations and expanding their professional network in NYC's education sector and journalism industry. Applications close this Sunday, July 26 and are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Operations and Finance Manager, The Bell

The Bell is a non-profit empowering underrepresented students to tell impactful stories and build successful careers in media, and the organization powering YJC. They’re seeking a strategic and hands-on Operations and Finance Manager to lead their next phase of organizational growth. This systems-builder will govern, optimize, and scale in-house financial and administrative infrastructure. By owning multi-state financial management, contractor compliance, and HR administration, this individual will serve as the ultimate operational problem-solver. Learn more on their website. The priority deadline is Friday, July 31.

School Program Manager, Press Pass NYC

Press Pass NYC helps public schools build student news teams through faculty training, student programs, and ongoing support. They are seeking a School Program Manager to deepen the connections with partner schools by visiting newsrooms, coaching advisers, meeting with administrators, leading professional development days, guiding student teams, and working with the Press Pass NYC team to sustain high-quality school programs at scale. Learn more on their website. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

✨ Student Opportunities

Inspire Youth Journal: Open Call for Submissions 

Submission Deadline: the 23rd of each month for the following month’s edition

Open to: High school students, globally

Submit articles on global issues, recent news, or social science from 500 - 700 words. Select submissions will be published in the Inspire Youth Journal. They do not republish articles that have already been published elsewhere.

NYPL: Teen Center Ambassadors 

Application Deadline: Thursday, July 30

Open to: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12 graders in NYCPS

Teen Center Ambassadors are assigned to one of NYPL’s local branch libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, or Staten Island, where they create dynamic library events and resources for teen audiences at the library and encourage their peers to become more involved with their library. Ambassadors will be paid $17 per hour and will work up to 8 hours per week from November through June.

Open Stage Project: Act 2 

Application Deadline: Saturday, August 1

Open to: Female-identifying and non-binary 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in NYC

Go behind-the-scenes with Open Stage Project for a year. This free afterschool program includes field trips to set, costume, and lighting shops; monthly skill-building workshops; one-on-one mentoring with film and Broadway professionals; Broadway shows and Q&As with female crew members; and a capstone design presentation. No prior tech or backstage experience required.

The Fulcrum: 2026 Fall Journalism Fellowship
Application Deadline: Monday, August 3 
Open to: Undergraduate and graduate journalism students
Fellows receive mentorship from The Fulcrum’s publishing team and opportunities to publish original reporting about democracy, community renewal, and civic participation. The program focuses on community-based storytelling and training students for careers in journalism. The fall cohort runs remotely from September 14th to October 20th.

Sadie Nash Leadership Project: ELLA Fellowship
Application Deadline: Friday, August 7
Open to: Women and gender-expansive youth 18-23 year olds
With the support of a mentor and staff, fellows design and implement a social justice project in their community and participate in monthly retreats from October to May in NY and Newark. Fellows commit 2-5 hours per month to implement their project and will receive a $1,350 stipend to put towards their project.

Institute for Youth in Policy: Public Policy Fellowship
Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 19
Open to:
High school and undergraduate students, nationally
Fellows work in specialized departments – including Policy and Research, Education, and Civic Growth – and collaborate with YIP department executives to analyze and develop solutions to current issues. Fellows will develop skills in policy analysis, project management, and communication. The fall cohort runs from September 12th to November 7th.

The New York Times: 17th Annual Summer Reading Contest
Submission Deadline: every week through August 14
Open to: 13-19 year olds
Submit a short essay or video responding to something you read, watched, or listened to in The New York Times, and explain why it caught your attention. Select submissions will be published on The Learning Network, and shared with the journalist who made the NYT piece to which you responded.

National Coalition Against Censorship: Youth Free Expression Film Contest 
Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 8
Open to:
14-19 year olds
Submit a short documentary film relating to the theme “Documenting our Democracy.” Cash prizes available. Submissions can consider what democracy looks like in schools, towns and their communities. The winning film will be screened at NCAC’s annual benefit in NYC.

New York Jewish Week: Teen Journalism Fellowship
Application Deadline: Sunday, September 20
Open to: 15-18 year old Jewish students in NYC (outside of NYC? check out the nationwide opportunity)
Through a journalistic, hybrid fellowship that runs September to December, selected students provide a story idea and receive training and support to publish an article. Teens of all backgrounds, identities, genders, cultures and connections to Judaism are encouraged to apply.

🔦 Spotlight on Student Reporting

Check out our Newsstand featuring school publications across the city!

Amid Immigration Crackdowns, the Pace Community Persists

Soumik Dey and Guadalupe Abarca Vazquez highlight school initiatives to prepare for potential ICE activity and to protect students during that process.

The Pacer, Pace High School

The Glamorization of East New York

Nevaeh Vickers explores the effects of gentrification in East New York, outlining tensions over affordable housing and the displacement of long-term residents and local businesses.  

Student Fellowship, Press Pass NYC

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