Frequently Asked Questions about L.A. Youth’s
Foster Youth Writing Project


How do foster youth become involved with L.A. Youth?
They get involved in a variety of ways. Some foster youth read an ad for the project in L.A. Youth and call for more information. Sometimes a social worker, lawyer, staff member or teacher sees the ad and calls on the youth’s behalf. They sometimes request a visit by an L.A. Youth editor to their group home, residential facility, foster family agency or school. During presentations, editors Amanda Riddle and Laura Lee speak to the foster youth about the benefits of writing for L.A. Youth and discuss story ideas. For more information or to request a visit, please call (323) 938-9194 and ask for Amanda or Laura or e-mail Amanda at ariddle@layouth.com or Laura at llee@layouth.com. If you are a foster youth who would like to attend L.A. Youth’s next newcomer’s orientation, get information by clicking here.



Why do foster youth join?
Our writers often say that by sharing their experiences, they hope to show other teens that they are not alone. Many already write in journals and like having another creative outlet where they can reflect on their experiences and work through traumatic events. Some are bored and want to get involved in an activity outside the foster care system. They like the opportunity to earn money, improve their writing, and show social workers and other adults that they are responsible.

Do foster youth get paid?
Foster youth are paid $100 for each story published in L.A. Youth.

What are the requirements?
No previous writing or journalism experience is necessary. Foster youth must be between the ages of 14 and 19 and in the Los Angeles County foster care system (currently or in the past). Former and emancipated foster youth are welcome.

What can they write about?
Story topics are chosen by the teen writers themselves. They usually choose to write about experiences that have had an impact on their lives, their thoughts on the system, and the challenges and successes they’ve had. That may mean a story about living in a group home, a relationship with a birth parent or why it’s important to know your rights. They may want to bring attention to a problem with the system. They also write about the factors that led to their removal from their home, such as a parent’s drug use or mental illness. They may also share information that will help other foster youth prepare to emancipate, such as how the system can help pay for college or what it’s like to live on your own.

Where do they work on their stories?
Foster youth meet regularly with an adult editor at a location convenient for them. That may be at their group home, their school or at L.A. Youth’s office at 5967 W. Third Street near La Brea in Los Angeles. In addition to these editing sessions, they are expected to work on their stories in their free time. They are also invited to attend weekly Saturday staff meetings at L.A. Youth from 1 to 3 p.m.

Do you have permission to publish the names and photos of foster youth?
Yes, the Juvenile Court has always supported our project. With each writer, we send a request to the court asking for permission to publish his or her name and photo, if they wish. We also publish stories anonymously if we feel the writer’s identity should be protected. The court has approved all of our requests (called a "waiver of confidentiality").

What do others say about this project?
"It was an amazing opportunity to publish an article about my life experience. The editing process, the changes and learning how the story should be told was beyond extraordinary. After seeing my story in L.A. Youth I was proud to see my hard work pay off. The best thing about this experience was improving my writing skills with an editor, learning how to write a story and most importantly having the opportunity to help others by sharing my experiences."
–Jeff Solano, L.A. Youth writer

"One [Linden Center] student in particular has truly embraced the program. She has been published three times in the last six months and her emotional state has been directly impacted by her involvement in L.A. Youth. She recently communicated to staff that her connection to the newspaper and attending the regular Saturday meetings have helped her direct her energy into more productive endeavors. ‘It keeps me out of trouble,’ were her exact words."
–Lynne Petersen, Workability Coordinator, The Linden Center

"Our students have been through so much in their short lives. L.A. Youth gives them the opportunity to voice these out and let other youth know they are not alone in their struggles."
–Karel Padigos, teacher, New Directions

"As Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Juvenile Court, I appreciate the opportunities L.A. Youth has given to youth in the foster care system to write about their experiences in the system. … From my perspective, this program provides another avenue for the most important persons in our system to be heard."
–Michael Nash, Presiding Judge, Los Angeles Juvenile Court