Young Storytellers Foundation

Balance is important. And nothing (for me, at least) puts things in perspective like working with kids. Young Storytellers is an incredible organization, and I think many of you would really enjoy volunteering there.

Here's how the YSF describes its core program:

A NINE-WEEK, ONE-ON-ONE SCREENWRITING PROGRAM DEDICATED TO INCREASING SELF-EXPRESSION, SELF-ESTEEM AND LITERACY IN LOS ANGELES AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

The Young Storytellers Foundation offers a uniquely engaging and effective arts education and youth development program to targeted public schools in Los Angeles, where students are at-risk and have little or no access to the arts. Twice a year at more than 30 schools, our program pairs 10 students from Title 1 schools with 10 mentors from the entertainment industry. The mentors volunteer one lunch hour a week for eight weeks to guide and encourage the students as they imagine and develop their own short screenplay.

In the ninth week, professional Hollywood actors perform the students’ scripts for a live audience. We call these performances the “Big Show” because for the students watching their creation come to life, it is a very big moment.

For kids who normally receive little individualized attention and support, working one-on-one with an adult to create their own story, and seeing actors like Zachary Levi (Chuck), Ben McKenzie (Southland), Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother), and Raven Symone (That's So Raven) not only take it seriously, but bring it brilliantly to life for everyone they know, is transformative.

From this experience, children learn that they matter. They see that people value what they have to say. Their communication skills improve. And they discover that attending school and studying can be enjoyable and immensely rewarding.

http://youngstorytellers.com/

(*kudos to miss lira, www.thestrugglingactress.blogspot.com, for inspiring this post*)