Calafia is yli’s statewide youth policy journal that amplifies the narratives of young people on topics and issue areas important to them and their communities.
Calafia Fellows are selected every year from each yli office to create and edit the issue’s theme and the stories presented. They are also mentored by experienced reporters, travel to statewide and national media conferences, and learn the steps to producing a printed publication.
Podcasts
Calafia’s 2425 fellows have just launched their newest podcast, Beyond the Broken Dream to uplift the voices and experiences of people impacted by injustice.
Last year, Calafia veterans Nancy Aguilar and Katelyn Chang helped us pilot our newest component of the program, the 3rd Year Special Project. Working with Pulitzer finalist Bernice Yeung as their mentor, they developed a 4 episode podcast called The Creative Code, which explores the impact of generative AI on youth creatives. Over the 9 months, they built their own project curriculum, conducted interviews with representatives from the National Writers Union and former Marvel employees, and surveyed over 100 youth creatives about their experiences with AI. The podcast (below) was picked up by the online news outlet, Capital & Main, which wrote a feature story about the project: Young Artists Worry About a Future Supplanted by Artificial Intelligence.
Previous podcasts include: Represent!, Mind the Gap: Suppressed to Addressed and False Promises: the chasm between home and hope.
Publications
We expect to launch this year’s publication, Beyond the Broken Dream, this summer and it’s shaping up to be fantastic! Pre-order your free print or digital copy here!
Calafia’s past issues have focused on youth criminal justice reform, educational equity, and addressing stigmas within communities of color – the issues are available for download below!
Documentaries
This year, third year Fellows Clarissa Wing and Adamari Cota have embarked on 3rd Year Special Project in a brand new medium: filmmaking. Working with Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Sebastián Díaz as their mentor, they are working on documentary about the experience of first generation college students at UC Berkeley. Watch the trailer below and stay tuned for screenings near you!
Calafia Launch Party!
Want to hear directly from these incredible youth journalists about the work they’ve done this year? Join us to celebrate this year’s fellows at our annual Calafia Launch Party on Tuesday, May 27th at 7:30, where this year’s cohort will be sharing their new publication and podcast, Beyond the Broken Dream! You can register here.
Interested in Applying?
- Are you between the ages of 16-22?
- Do you live in California?
- Are you passionate about writing/journalism and social justice?
Sounds like you’re a perfect fit for Calafia – Youth Leadership Institute’s statewide youth journalism program!!
From September to May, you’ll learn how to write personal narratives, opinion editorials, and podcasts – and work with a professional journalist and earn a stipend along the way! Expectations include:
- Attend one, 1 1/2 hr meeting per week
- Meet with media mentors
- Conduct research and interviews
- Complete several journalistic assignments that will be compiled into a print and digital pub
*Applications are closed for Calafia 2425. Please fill out this interest form to stay in the loop about next year’s application process!
Want more information? Reach out to María Schindler ([email protected]), watch the below recording of our Youth Orientation and read our Frequently Asked Questions!
