Voices of Tomorrow: Youth Publishing Workshop

K-12 STEAM education

Antelope Valley

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

In the Antelope Valley, far too many students are falling behind in reading and writing. In school districts like Palmdale and Lancaster, less than 25% of elementary students are reading at grade level, well below the state average. But behind these statistics are bright, capable children who simply haven’t been given the tools or opportunities to succeed. For many, reading feels like a chore. Writing feels impossible. They stop believing their stories matter.
Research tells us what educators already know: reading and writing go hand-in-hand. When students write, they read more deeply. When they read texts that reflect their lives, they write with greater purpose. Culturally relevant, identity-affirming instruction isn’t just “nice,” it is necessary. In our workshop, students don’t just improve their literacy skills; they build confidence, find their voice, and learn that their stories matter.

The Children’s Publishing Workshop was created to change that narrative.
This workshop is more than just a six week activity, it’s a transformative experience. Students from 3rd to 12th grade are guided through the full journey of becoming published authors. They learn the power of storytelling, explore different genres, write from the heart, and see their words printed in a real book. And when that book is placed in their hands at the end of the program, something shifts. A light turns on. They see themselves as powerful, capable, and creative.
But this isn’t just about books. This is about belonging. About unlocking voice. About literacy as liberation.
In addition to supporting young readers and writers, we also invest in the teen mentors who serve as Team Leaders. These students are taught leadership skills in weekly one-hour sessions and receive coaching in financial responsibility, entrepreneurship, and professional communication. Each is guided to establish their own Sole Proprietorship and work as an Independent Contractor for the workshop, gaining early experience in managing time, money, and a business. For many, this is their first step toward career ownership and economic empowerment.
The Children’s Publishing Workshop is not just a program, it’s a launchpad. For children, it’s a doorway into the world of literacy and self-expression. For youth mentors, it’s a hands-on introduction to leadership, responsibility, and real-world success.

If the Children’s Publishing Workshop is successful, Los Angeles County will be home to confident, literate, and empowered young people; students who not only read and write, but believe their voices matter. Instead of falling behind, children from under-resourced communities will become published authors before high school, using storytelling as a tool for identity, healing, and connection. In areas like the Antelope Valley, where literacy rates are low, students will go from struggling to write paragraphs to sharing their books at launch events with pride. Teen mentors will also benefit; learning leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship as they launch sole proprietorships as independent contractors. The result? More young people who read for joy, write with purpose, lead with vision, and own their futures. This workshop will strengthen both students and communities across L.A. County, making it a place where every child’s story is heard, honored, and celebrated.