Spring 2026: STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change
Welcome to STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change!
In this one-cycle STARS Journey, Fellows from STARS Citywide Girls Initiative partner organizations engage in a youth-led writing and advocacy experience that empowers them to turn their experiences into policy-focused narratives. Through in-person and virtual sessions, participants learn to research, write, and collaborate on a White Paper that amplifies youth voices across New York City and advocates for increased support, funding, and policy improvements for youth programs. The Journey builds communication, leadership, and advocacy skills, culminating in a youth-authored White Paper presented to a City Council Member as a public call to action.
You are currently viewing the course for this Journey. This course guides Fellows through the process of researching, structuring, and writing a White Paper. Through interactive lessons and assignments, participants will learn how to gather evidence, organize ideas, and craft persuasive, policy-focused narratives that effectively communicate their perspectives and recommendations.
Learning Objectives
STARS Course Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants will have:
- Articulated the Impact of Lived Experiences on Social Issues — Describe the influence of experiences within STARS CGI and connect those stories to broader social issues.
- Mastered White Paper Writing — Understand the structure and purpose of a White Paper and apply research and writing techniques to craft evidence-based policy recommendations.
- Collaborated Effectively in Youth-Led Teams — Work in peer-led teams to co-create, edit, and refine written content that reflects diverse perspectives.
- Demonstrated Civic Engagement and Leadership — Demonstrate leadership by presenting their collective work to policymakers and participating in public advocacy events.
Requirements
- Complete at least 2 pair sessions per month and log these in your Portal
- Attend the monthly Journey Meetings (see Engagement Dates)
- Complete all lessons and assignments in this course
- Submit all components of the White Paper at the Google Drive links in the course
Engagement Dates
Participants will attend one Journey Live Meeting each month as part of the course for the cycle. Additionally, you can schedule 1:1 office hours with the Journey Instructor for individual assistance as needed.
Spring Cycle Journey Meetings:
Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:30-6:30 pm ET
Thursday, April 2, 2026 4:30-6:30 pm ET
Thursday, May 7, 2026 4:30-6:30 pm ET
Asynchronous Coursework
Complete each lesson in the the following course. As you progress through each lesson, make sure to press “complete” before moving on to the next.
STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change (Spring 2026)
This accompanying self-paced course guides Fellows through the process of researching, structuring, and writing a White Paper. Through interactive lessons and assignments, participants will learn how to gather evidence, organize ideas, and craft persuasive, policy-focused narratives that effectively communicate their perspectives and recommendations.
Submissions
You are required to submit your assigned White Paper components by the end of the cycle in order to successfully complete the STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change Journey.
Curriculum
- 4 Sections
- 26 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Introduction3
- The Write Power to Make Change Happen: Research & Issue Validation9
- 2.1Journey Meeting 1
- 2.2Learning Objectives & Opening Lines8 Minutes
- 2.3Lesson 1: The Anatomy of a White Paper
- 2.4Lesson 2: Co-Editing
- 2.5Lesson 3: Building Your Case
- 2.6Lesson 4: Analyzing Credible Evidence Sources
- 2.7LESSON 5: Connecting Data to Lived Experience (Drafting Intro and Conclusion)
- 2.8ASSIGNMENT 1: Synthesizing Findings into a Problem Statement
- 2.9Conclusion & Resources
- Collaborative Drafting7
- Finalization & Advocacy Toolkit7
Instructor
