J-Week

March 23-27, 2026

In the media capital of the world, 4 out of 5 NYC public high schools don’t have a journalism class.

We’re changing the narrative.

From March 23-27, we’re showing our city’s leaders why journalism education belongs in every school.

To make that a reality, we need you to make some noise with us.

Show up for Student Journalism:

Add your Name

Tell City Hall that student journalism is essential. Sign our coalition letter urging our leaders to support citywide funding.

Join the
Write-a-Thon

Let’s get together! Join our community event designed to sharpen your writing and advocacy skills. Open to all!

Start
Organizing

Open our toolkit or use the menu at the bottom of the page to find a step-by-step guide on how to support J-Week in your community.

Add your Name

We’re sending this letter to City Hall. Our goal is to reach 1,000 signatures by Thursday, March 26!

Add my name

Write-a-Thon

Wednesday, March 25 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM | Lower Manhattan

RSVP before the event!

We’re getting together for a high-energy evening of writing, mentoring, and action. Whether you’re a student testing your reporting speed or an adult ready to support the next generation of reporters, everyone has a role!

Choose your activities, and mix-and-match throughout the evening:

Students– Compete in the Write-Off: Test your skills in our timed reporting competition. (First place in each category wins an Owala!)

Adults– Support the Writing Studio: Provide real-time mentoring, brainstorming, and editing support to youth reporters working on their pieces.

Everyone– Op-Ed & Letter-Writing: Jump into an Op-Ed Workshop to learn how to craft your story, or hit the Advocacy Station to write letters to City Council Members about why journalism education matters to you.

Start Organizing

Download our full toolkit

Everyone has a part to play in getting journalism programs into every NYC high school. Whether you’re a student, reporter, or community leader, we have a specific assignment for you.

Use the menu below to find your next steps:

    1. Add your name to our letter to City Hall.

    2. Get 10-15 of your friends and family to sign the letter, too.

    3. Attend the Write-a-Thon (make sure to RSVP!).

    4. Put up flyers in your school.

    5. Use our communications templates to:

      • Spread the word on social media.

      • Email your school community.

      • Share the sign-on letter via text.

    1. Feature student reporting on your platform.

    2. Donate journalistic equipment to schools who need it.

      • Have any cameras, recorders, or other equipment not being put to use? NYC schools need them! Contact Sophie, sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org.

    3. Cover a school visit during J-Week. Email Sophie (sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org) to coordinate.

    4. Use our communications templates to spread the word and spotlight student reporting.

    5. Publish a student or teacher op-ed on the importance of journalism education. Email Sophie (sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org) to coordinate.

    6. If your outlet covers the Speaker’s pre-stated press conferences: invite a student journalist to shadow you on Thursday, March 26, and collaborate on the story for your publication. Email Sophie (sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org) to coordinate).

    1. Co-sponsor the Write-a-Thon! Contact Cait (cait@youthjournalismnyc.org).

    2. Use our communications templates and graphic templates to:

      • Spotlight student reporting

    3. Repost YJC Instagram and LinkedIn posts spotlighting organizational partners and special J-Week op-eds throughout the week.

    4. Challenge your students, alumni, and supporters to join the sign-on letter.

    1. Add your name to our letter to City Hall.

    2. Donate journalistic equipment to schools who need it.

      • Have any cameras, recorders, or other equipment not being put to use? NYC schools need them! Contact Sophie, sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org.

    3. Use our communications templates to spread the word.

    4. Attend the Write-a-Thon to mentor or support students.

  • (Offices of City Council Members; NYC DOE & Superintendents; Borough Presidents)

    1. Visit a school journalism program in your borough. Contact CJ (cj@youthjournalismnyc.org) to confirm.

    2. All Council budget directors and relevant staff are strongly encouraged to attend the Journalism for All budget briefing on Monday, March 23.

    3. Sit down for an interview with a school outlet in your District. For example, Council Member Dinowitz was interviewed by The Science Survey, published this month. Contact CJ (cj@youthjournalismnyc.org) to coordinate.

    4. Use our communications templates to:

      • Spotlight student reporting.

      • Pledge your support for expanding access to journalism education.

    1. Spotlight youth journalists at your school in announcements and newsletters.

    2. Use our communications templates to spread the word.

    3. Use our sign-on letter as a learning tool in your journalism, civics, and government classes.

    4. Share the podcast series Missing Voices with your school community.

    1. Use our communications templates to share why you support Journalism for All.

    2. Visit a school journalism program.

    3. Share the toolkit with others in your network.

    4. Reshare YJC Instagram and LinkedIn posts spotlighting organizational partners and special J-Week op-eds throughout the week.

    5. If you’re not yet supporting Journalism for All, schedule time to chat with CJ to discuss how you can get involved.

    1. Add your name to our letter to City Hall.

    2. Get 10-15 of your friends and family to sign the letter, too.

    3. Use our communications templates to spread the word.

    4. Donate journalistic equipment to schools who need it.

      • Have any cameras, recorders, or other equipment not being put to use? NYC schools need them! Contact Sophie, sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org.

    5. Come to the YJC Write-a-Thon to support students and write to city leaders.

    6. Share this toolkit with others in your network and community.