Creative Writing Hybrid Events for LA Youth

Youth economic advancement

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Less than one-third of leadership roles at companies in the U.S. are held by women, and only 7% are held by women of color. Even before DEI initiatives came under attack, gains made by women in the workplace during the past decade were beginning to slow. Parity for women in the workplace is estimated to be 50 years away. At the same time, policy changes at the highest levels have endangered the rights of LGBTQIA+, nonbinary and transgender youth. Now, more than ever, girls and gender-expansive youth need a safe and accessible space where they can express themselves, connect with other teens, develop the power of their individual voice, and gain the confidence to become leaders and advocates for themselves and their communities. Since 2001, WriteGirl has provided an inclusive and supportive community for voices that often go unheard. WriteGirl’s free, online and in-person, hybrid writing events will make it easier for hundreds of youth across Los Angeles County to participate.

WriteGirl will present two large-scale hybrid writing workshops for more than 100 teen girls and gender-expansive youth, who will participate in-person or online. The live versions of these events will take place at inspiring creative locations as youth across Los Angeles County simultaneously participate online. Workshops will feature special guest presentations by accomplished writers, interactive writing experiments, self-care segments and the WriteGirl Soapbox, a platform for teens’ self-expression.
WriteGirl has been presenting writing workshops for Los Angeles youth for 23 years, either in-person or online. This spring, WriteGirl piloted two very successful hybrid workshops, where we refined many elements such as technology, scripting and timing, special guest involvement and interactive activities that include online and in-person participants. This hybrid event structure, offering the excitement of an in-person gathering as well as a dynamic, interactive online experience, creates a highly-impactful event where girls and gender-expansive youth can meet acclaimed professionals and gain valuable skills towards careers in the creative arts.
Funding will enable WriteGirl to partner with a tech team and creative venues to host the event. This unique project will allow youth throughout Los Angeles County to connect with other teens in a fun and creative space, develop writing skills and express themselves in a thoroughly positive and exciting environment.

Teen girls and gender-expansive youth in Los Angeles County have limited access to workshops and mentoring opportunities in the creative arts. In-person workshops can be challenging due to transportation and scheduling constraints. Online-only events don’t always offer the sense of community and connection that teens need. We see the tremendous potential that hybrid events offer in inspiring youth participation, far beyond what can be presented either just in person, or just online. We are often asked how we encourage youth to step away from their digital devices, to write. We believe the answer always lies in making events so captivating and engaging that the time just flies, and they don’t even touch their cellphones. Hybrid workshops would allow for a scaling up of some of the most exciting WriteGirl events, such as our Screenwriting Workshop, and our Songwriting Workshop & Showcase, offering vital career pathways for hundreds of Los Angeles County youth.