Support Young Chicago Authors

Young Chicago Authors transforms the lives of young people by cultivating their voices through writing, publication, and performance education.

Young Chicago Authors transforms the lives of young people by cultivating their voices through writing, publication, and performance education.

Founded in 1991 by writer and educator Bob Boone, Young Chicago Authors (YCA) began as a place where young people with a passion for writing could find instruction and mentorship. Dr. Boone recognized how writing could improve academic performance and the odds of succeeding as an adult by helping teens to explore their creativity and develop critical thinking skills. In the 20 years since Dr. Boone began his Saturday writing workshops, YCA has expanded its work with young people to include poetry slams, open mics, publishing forums, writing conferences, and school-based workshops for students and teachers. Today, YCA directly serves 3,000 young people and reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually through print and electronic media.

1. Creative writing can transform lives.