INSPIRE A TEEN!

We are seeking women/gender-expansive writers in all genres including fiction, poetry, journalism, screenwriting, songwriting, copywriting, business writing, and more to help mentor teen girls/gender-expansive youth, inspire them to express their creative ideas with compassion and provide them with an individualized pathway to college and careers. Applicants should have empathy, listening skills, kindness and a passion for helping to inspire young voices. Weekly, monthly and periodic mentoring opportunities available. We are also seeking support with events, public relations, fundraising and partnerships. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN WRITERS:

Occasionally we hold programming for co-ed groups or boys in our Bold Ink Writers program. Men writers can apply here and we will reach out when we have an upcoming training scheduled.

AN EMPHASIS ON WRITING:

First and foremost, WriteGirl is a creative writing organization. We use mentoring as the vehicle for teens to develop their creative writing skills. We know the therapeutic value of writing, but our focus is on developing creative writing skills above all else. Through the process of writing, teens organically develop confidence, self-esteem and clarity about themselves and their future. We are seeking creative writers with writing samples that demonstrate strong skills in one or more of the following genres: Fiction, non-fiction. playwriting, TV/screenwriting, journalism, poetry, songwriting, marketing/advertising/PR, comedy, business writing, essays. All volunteers must be highly fluent in English.

TRAINING & ONBOARDING:

All volunteers are required to complete two half-day online orientation/trainings, an intake interview and an in-person livescan fingerprinting at a location in your area as part of the background check process. (We will provide details on how to get the background completed.) All WriteGirl volunteers must be proficient in electronic communication such as participating in a Zoom meeting and communicating by email, including uploading and viewing attachments. Once we review your application, we will contact you about an upcoming training session. You'll have a chance to learn more about WriteGirl's goals and needs, meet the leadership, gain some specific communication skills, and get answers to your burning questions.

TIME COMMITMENT:

We ask that volunteers commit to attending at least 3 online or in-person events per year. You could volunteer in additional ways if your schedule allows. If you choose to participate in weekly mentoring, the commitment is one hour per week from November through June. Or if you would prefer to be a short-term mentor, you may work with one or two teens for just a few weeks at a time a few times a year.

LOCATION:

WriteGirl workshops are held online, and we hold several optional in-person workshops in the Los Angeles area throughout the year. Mentoring takes place online but local mentor/mentee pairs have the option to meet in-person or online. While WriteGirl is based in Los Angeles, volunteers can join from anywhere in the world.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Since 2001, it has been our mission to raise up the voices of underrepresented and/or vulnerable youth, including Black, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, nonbinary, LGBTQIA, anyone with disabilities, and many others who are part of the community we serve. Our events, training and curriculum reflect our commitment to multiculturalism, equity, diversity, inclusion, access, anti-bias, anti-discrimination, and anti-racism. If you require specific accommodation, please don’t hesitate to contact Katie Geyer at membership@writegirl.org.

WHAT YOU GAIN:

We also know that our volunteers gain inspiration, friendship and professional skills from involvement in WriteGirl, and you’ll help inspire teens to be as passionate about writing as you are!