Stories for Action trains young people to tell stories about issues that affect their lives. They learn photo composition techniques, analyze images to challenge dominant perspectives, explore various forms of oppression, and learn about youth-led social change. The youth work together to create a collective project based on the issues that impact their lives. They develop the skills to create content, establish timelines, and make consensus-based decisions for their collective project.

Stories for Action runs twice a year, in the Fall or Spring semester, and is open to youth across DC. Youth may receive service learning hours for their participation in the program. This program prepares youth to participate in our advanced youth organizing program.

Our School Partner Programs are implemented directly at DC schools. Two Critical Exposure staff members facilitate the program with the active support of school leadership and teachers. The goals and structure of our school partnerships vary based on the school. Programs can be scheduled during the school day with a partner teacher, during school clubs, or after school. Youth create a photography-based storytelling project based on issues that impact their lives to challenge dominant narratives about their communities. At the end of the program, youth showcase their work and present their learnings to their peers and community.

Youth typically meet one to two times per week for a semester or the full school year.

The Summer Youth Facilitation Institute (SYFI) is a peer-to-peer learning experience and job opportunity that elevates our current leaders from being participants to facilitators. Summer Youth Facilitators (SYFs) work in teams of two to three to introduce Critical Exposure’s curriculum to other youth in our Summer Partner Programs. SYFs participate in intensive training and receive mentorship from our program staff over the course of the program.