About the Contra Costa Youth Journalism Program
The Contra Costa Youth Journalism (CCYJ) program is designed to empower the next generation of storytellers. Launched in early 2024, the program provides hands-on journalism training to high school students from underserved school districts throughout Contra Costa County. By offering professional mentorship and technical training, CCYJ helps students find their voices and share the vital, often “lesser-known” stories of their own communities — all while gaining professional skills and building their portfolios. We hope to grow and serve more students with community support.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
As a program of the nonprofit Bay City News Foundation, CCYJ relies on the generosity of donors.
Your contributions directly support:
- Student Stipends: We believe in the value of student work. Your support provides each participant with a $1,000 stipend upon the completion of four stories—offering them a professional freelance rate and teaching them that their perspectives and contributions to local journalism are truly vital.
- Professional Mentorship: Connecting students with veteran journalists who provide one-on-one guidance and real-world newsroom experience.
- Pathways to Careers: Helping students build professional portfolios and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for future success in media and beyond.
- Community Representation: Ensuring that students from underserved areas have the resources to report on the issues that matter most to their neighbors and communities.
