Charity Details

Young Chicago Authors

Providing arts education for teens in the Chicago area

Issue Area: Arts, Culture, Humanities, Education
Location:
Chicago, IL
Non-profit Status:
501(c)3
About Us:
Young Chicago Authors was born from educator and writer Bob Boone’s realization that few resources existed in Chicago for teens serious about creative writing. In 1991, Dr. Boone began holding free workshops on Saturdays for young people looking for mentorship and the company of other student writers. Aided by the participation of working artists from Chicago’s burgeoning literary community, YCA grew steadily. In 2000, visionaries including YCA’s Artistic Director Kevin Coval launched Louder Than a Bomb, now the country’s largest team poetry festival for young writers. In the same year, YCA launched Say What, offering students opportunities in news reporting and publishing. Today, YCA directly serves more than 3,000 teens each year, letting them know that their stories are important and teaching them how to contribute their narratives to the city-wide and nation-wide conversation about youth, culture, and society. YCA works with teens from all over Chicagoland and gives them opportunities to meet other students with similar interests who come from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Of the young people we serve, approximately 60% are African-American and 20% are Latino. More than half come from low-income households.
Who benefits from the donation?
Chicago-area teens
Mission:
Young Chicago Authors transforms the lives of young people by cultivating their voices through writing, publication, and performance education.
Specific Needs:
Portable projection screen, microphones, mic stands, auxiliary cord, fax machine, general office supplies, pens, scissors, paper cutter, dry-erase markers, pencils, batteries, paper for students to write on, journals, cameras, non-perishable food, basketballs, power drill
Current / Immediate Needs:
Portable projection screen, microphones, mic stands, auxiliary cord, fax machine, paper cutter, general office supplies

Our Needs:

Cameras & Photography
Computers & Computer Accessories
Electronics & Accessories
Food & Drink
Musical Instruments & Accessories
Office/School Supplies & Equipment
Tools