Websites and local programs to help youth take action NOW! Learn about the great things youth can do to change their world through media by checking out the links below.

Local Programs:

Social Justice Education Project
The Social Justice Education Project (SJEP) is a two-year (four semester) student-led and mentor-facilitated critical research project of the University of Arizona’s Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA) and the Mexican American Studies & Research Center (MASRC). The program, in partnership with the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American/Raza Studies Department, aims to empower students, particularly low-income Latina/o youth, by giving them the skills and opportunities to have a voice in social change, community development and educational policy and practice. Visit the SJEP website at http://socialjusticeproject.org.

Grrrls Literary Activism Project
            The Grrrls Literary Activism Project is a program of KORE Press for high-school aged girls, which runs from October 2007-April 2008. The group meets once a week to discuss the work of women writers and write about issues they identify as important in their own lives. The works of participants are published through various mediums such as T-shirts, ‘zines and books. Participants meet at Casa Libre en la Solana on 4th Avenue. The cost is $50, but scholarships are available for those who express need. Contact Shannon Cain at 629-9752 or Shannon@korepress.org for more information. You can also visit KORE Press’ website at www.korepress.org.

VOICES 110˚ Magazine
            VOICES 110˚ Magazine offers youth, particularly those from low-moderate income families, the opportunity to write about their lives and issues they identify with in a magazine published in the Arizona Daily Star. Participants are trained in writing personal essays, journalism and photography. The program takes place from October 2007-June 2008, Monday through Thursday from 2-6pm at 48 E. Pennington in downtown Tucson. There are no participation fees. Contact Regina Kelly at 622-7458 or regina@voicesinc.org for more information. You can also visit the VOICES Inc. website at www.voicesinc.org.

Wingspan EON
            EON Youth Program works to strengthen the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and straight ally youth community. Activities include peer and adult mentoring, ‘zine creation, workshops, visual and performance art projects, and other youth driven activities. Youth between the ages of 13-23 are invited to participate free of charge. Activities take place at the Eon Lounge in downtown Tucson as well as at Wingspan’s Community Center at 425 E. 7th St. Contact CourtneyJones at 624-1779 or courtney@wingspan.org for more information. You can also visit the Wingspan website at www.wingspan.org.

YWCA It’s Time to Talk Racial Justice Program
            The It’s Time to Talk Youth Program brings together youth from middle and high schools to work together to reduce discrimination, intolerance and hate. The program’s activities include planning and participating in the Annual Youth Forum on Race, conducting a grant round, facilitating presentations to other youth in the community, and more. The program is free of charge and takes place at various locations around Tucson. Contact Sarah Gonzales at 884-7810 x107 or sgonzales@ywcatucson.org for more information. You can also visit the YWCA website at www.ywcatucson.org.

Websites:

Youth Speaks (www.youthspeaks.org):Presenters of local and national youth poetry slams, festivals, reading series, and more, Youth Speaks also offers a comprehensive slate of literary arts education programs during the school day and the after-school hours, and conducts numerous publications and youth development programs.

Access Tucson (www.access.tucson.org): Provides training and facilities/equipment for members of the public to create cable television programming.

Arizona Daily Star: ( http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/opinion/64475 ): This page tells readers how to submit a reader article for publication in the Arizona Daily Start, Tucson’s morning paper.

Stories for Change: ( www.storiesforchange.net): An online meeting place for community digital storytelling facilitators and advocates. Learn more about using this unique medium for social change and join the network.

Chat the Planet (www.chattheplanet.com): Chat the Planet is a television show and internet community that connects groups of young Americanswith their peers around the world, via satellite, for frank, no-holds-barred discussions about politics, relationships, prejudices, and life in general. The website has a section on Taking Action by starting a project (with a connection to resources through TakingITGlobal) and a call for youth-produced media. The best youth-made media submissions are broadcast on SNAP! (a one-hour program on Link TV that includes short films, music videos, and other youth-produced media from around the world. Link TV – www.linktv.org - broadcasts programs that engage, educate and activate viewers to become involved in the world.)

Diary Project (www.diaryproject.com): Teens are encouraged to write about their day-to-day experiences growing up on this online journal. The website’s goal is to encourage communication amongst teens of all cultures and backgrounds, provide peer-to-peer support and stimulate discussion.

The Freechild Project ( http://www.freechild.org/national_media_outlets.htm#ythpblsg ): Contact information for more than 200 publishers of youth-written stories, poetry and more

In the Mix ( www.pbs.org/inthemix ): A Public Broadcasting Service television series for and by teens. Teens can provide input regarding what topics to cover in the series, and can add their experiences to the productions.

Internet Radio Project ( www.projectkir.org ): This project provides youth with an accessible internet radio broadcast opportunity. Support is provided to K-12 schools, after-school programs and to independent youth producers. They offer a free broadcast server and will stream media created by young people (individuals or organizations) for free. They also offer training and technical assistance for those just getting started.

Kore Press ( http://www.korepress.org/Submissions2006.htm ): Kore Press is a women’s literary press located in Tucson, focused on social activism literature. In addition to publishing full-length books, Kore Press conducts the First Book in Poetry Award competition for female writers (all ages) who have not published a book-length poetry manuscript but would now like to publish their work. Several other opportunities to submit original work and win awards are available.

Media Rights ( www.mediarights.org ): A project of Arts Engine (www.artsengine.net), Media Rights helps adult and youth filmmakers reach audiences, helps educators bring films into their curricula, and helps nonprofits and activists integrate media into their campaigns. Hundreds of youth-produced films can be found and viewed through their searchable database.

Media That Matters (www.mediathatmattersfest.org): This film festival showcases short films focused on current social issues. At their website, you can watch the films online, submit a film or learn how to start your own film festival.

The Tattoo Teen Newspaper ( www.readthetattoo.com ): Based in Bristol, Connecticut, this teen newspaper is published online and in the local print newspaper. The newspaper covers traditional news topics, as well as stories of specific interest to teens (e.g., teen pregnancy, proms, dating, etc.). They do not publish fiction or poetry. Middle and high school students around the country can join The Tattoo’s network of volunteer teen journalists and photographers.

Teen Ink ( www.teenink.org ) - A national teen website, monthly magazine and book series all written by teens, for teens. An opportunity for teens have their opinions, interviews, fiction and nonfiction writings, art, photos, reviews, poems, etc. published and distributed nationally. Extensive resources on writing, art & photography, issues research, reference materials and publishing opportunities.

Teen Voices ( www.teenvoices.com ): As an alternative to mainstream media for young women, this national print magazine and website publishes what teen women have to say about themselves and their world. Young women (under 18) can submit original writing, poetry and artwork on a wide variety of topics. Teens can also post activism projects and the website features an “activist of the month” profile.

Teenage Diaries ( http://www.radiodiaries.org/handbook8.html ): A program of National Public Radio (NPR), Teenage Diaries provides young people around the country with tape recorders so that they can report on their lives. The teen diarists conduct interviews and keep and audio journal, which is ultimately edited into a 15-30 minute documentary that airs on NPR’s All Things Considered radio program.

Tucson Citizen newspaper – Teen Columnists (contact: Billie Stanton, Tucson Citizen, P.O. Box 26767, T/A 85726-6767; phone: 520-573-4664; bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com)

Wiretap (http://www.wiretapmag.org ): A program of AlterNet (a progressive, social issues focused online news magazine) Wiretap publishes (online) news articles, features, personal essays and opinions, music/book/film reviews written by youth. They target youth activists who write about social and political issues from a youth perspective. They especially look for youth who have not traditionally had a voice.

Youth Noise (www.youthnoise.com): The Youth Noise Arts & Media page is a platform for youth to share their art and photography, poetry, writings/stories, radio broadcasts, short film productions, music videos and more. Media is youth-made and focuses on community issues. See for yourself at http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2235.