Volunteer Mentor at Mark Twain Middle School

In elementary school, Young Storytellers uses storytelling to help young people explore their creativity and imagination. In middle school, we use storytelling to explore their goals for the future and what challenges might stand in their way. In high school, we use storytelling to explore the impact their voice can have in their community—and, more broadly, the world.

Young Storytellers is a youth development and arts education nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles with programs across the country. Our mission is to spark creative self‑discovery through storytelling and equip young people to be the driving force of their own narratives.

We’re passionate about bringing people together and creating stories to raise the voices of those who don’t often get heard. We believe that when a young person understands the power of their own story—made of their unique background, culture, race, gender, sexuality, immigration status, geographic location, and economic status—it creates a more empathetic and equitable future for everyone. We raise voices, one story at a time.

In our 10‑week middle school program, a partner teacher leads their class in creating stories about a time they've felt misunderstood. Through writing exercises, gameplay, mentorship, and group sharing, each student creates their own personal story. During portions of each session, students are divided into small groups where they are supported by volunteer mentors who guide them through the writing process and encourage sharing within the group.

The program culminates in a live show where actors perform each student‑written piece.

Young Storytellers Middle School Mentors are the people who make the YS magic happen in schools all over Los Angeles! Mentors help facilitate writing by developing a relationship with their student writer(s) and guiding them through the process of telling their story, from ideation to a finished product. In the Middle School Stories program, students work in small groups with a mentor to create stories about times they have been misunderstood.

• Experience working with young people is helpful but not necessary.
• Commit to about a 10‑week in‑person program: meet once a week for 1‑hour sessions throughout the program, and one 2.5‑hour live performance called the Big Show.
• Model the YS values of belonging, exploration, connection, and play, as well as the YS Worldview.
• Commit to empowering young people so they can develop the skills to tell their own stories.
• Have an awareness of social and emotional skills including empathy, patience, and good listening skills.
• Support, facilitate, and manage a small group of 5‑6 student writers inside a classroom setting.
• Meet with their teachers prior to the program start date (30‑minute commitment).
• Check in with their teachers weekly in person or via email (5‑10 minute commitment).

• Complete a Volunteer Application:
• Attend required Volunteer training session (virtual).
• Complete all necessary paperwork, including a background check, Live Scan screening, TB screening, and providing proof of Covid‑19 vaccination.
• Note:
  
  Regular Covid‑19 testing may be needed if required by the school district.

Young Storytellers believe in raising voices, particularly those that often go unheard. Belonging is a core value of the Young Storytellers culture, and our daily practices around equity, diversity, inclusion, anti‑bias, anti‑discrimination, and antiracism are central to that value. Young Storytellers firmly believes that Black Lives Matter. We encourage women and gender‑diverse people, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, immigrants, and anyone with a disability to apply for this and all our positions.

Young Storytellers has designed our interview, onboarding, and ongoing cultural practices to be a welcoming space for everyone.

You can read more about our YS Worldview on our website.

• Group Size Range: 5–5
• Event can be held at organization location(s)
• No Donation