STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change
In this 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.
Spring 2026 Enrollment Is Closed; Summer 2026 Enrollment Is Open!
Express your interest in a Journey by filling out the form below.
You may also sign up for Mentorship on Demand at any time.
Learning Objectives
STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change Community Experiences
Participants are required to attend one Journey Live Meetings each month throughout 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
If you’re unable to attend a Journey meeting, you must notify your Staff Lead in advance and attend a community event to make up for it—strongly recommended options for this journey include Leadership Community Studios, Community Conversations, and Career Chats.
STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change Courses
STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change
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.
STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change Mentoring
Participants in this Journey will be matched for a minimum of one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month. This Journey is open to peer-to-peer pairs.
Journey Teaching Artist
Lead 360
All journeys within the Lead 360 Adventure emphasize leadership, aiming to help mentees and mentors develop their leadership skills and work together to create a better future. Explore the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below to learn more.
STARS: Crafting White Papers for Change is a Journey in the Lead 360 & Public Policy 360 Adventures.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities (Spring 2025)
The Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities Journey is perfect for mentees and mentors who are looking to turn their passion for storytelling, content creation, or journalism into a career. Through a dynamic online course, mentoring sessions, and live networking events, you will explore various career paths available to writers today, learn practical skills to help you succeed, and discover how to build a sustainable career that aligns with your interests and strengths. Discover career paths in finance, technology, corporate communications, publishing and more!
Read: Memoir (Spring 2025)
Each cycle, we’ll close read a new book and discuss it at monthly fixed meetings. We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story. This cycle, we'll be reading How to Say Babylon: A Memoir by Safiya Sinclair.
