The Real Stories program was developed by Youth Communication and Development Without Limits.

Youth Communication trains teens in writing, journalism, and leadership skills, and helps teens make their voices heard by publishing their stories in books, magazines, and on the web. Executive Director Keith Hefner won a MacArthur Fellowship for his work in youth development.

Development Without Limits works with schools and community-based organizations to develop curriculum and train staff. They have provided professional development to hundreds of after school and summer programs nationally including LA's BEST, The After-School Corporation and more.

Start using Real Stories in your program or school! Contact Development Without Limits at ericgurna@developmentwithoutlimits.org or 718.781.5753.

Real Stories uses true stories written by teens, young adult literature, and hands-on activities to promote reading, discussion and reflection. It helps teens recognize their strengths, form values, build strong relationships, and make smart decisions.

Each session focuses on a theme and includes:

1. An opening activity to introduce the theme;
2. Reading a true story by a teen (or an excerpt from a young adult novel) with facilitated discussion;
3. An experiential learning activity that helps participants connect the themes in the story to their own lives;
4. A closing reflection.

Click here to see a sample of Real Stories program activities.

What do you get?

Professional development

• Staff training workshops cover a range of topics including utilizing the Real Stories materials, facilitating successful group activities, discussing sensitive topics and incorporating youth development activities like service learning, media production and the arts.
• Coaching and technical assistance provide programs with ongoing support in effectively implementing Real Stories.

Materials

• The Real Stories anthology (26 stories by teens, plus excerpts from three young adult novels)
• The Real Stories Leader’s Guide (full text of every story, detailed lessons, teen-tested discussion questions)
• Young adult novels from the Bluford Series

You can customize the materials to meet your needs. A typical kit includes:

• 3 Leader's Guides
• 20 anthologies
• 20 copies of each featured young adult novel
• 2 full sets of the entire Bluford Series of young adult novels

"Our programs are enthusiastic about working with a literacy program that is fun, interesting and will help students become better readers. Real Stories offers students in after-school programs an exposure to reading and writing that they can get excited about."

Stefan Zucker
Manager, Literacy Programs
The After-School Corporation
New York, NY

"The Real Stories program is just right for middle school after school programs because the issues raised in the stories and the activities appeal to their age group. That encourages them to read more—in and out of the program."

Steve Kessler
Program Director
Staten Island JCC/IS 49
Staten Island, NY

"The kids in my program are having a ball with Real Stories—they want to do it every day. I even caught some kids in the hall talking about the stories!"

Quinton Ervin
Program Director
, Good Shepherd Services/MS 206
Bronx, NY

"The activities [in Real Stories] have helped my students open up to me and express themselves."

Quintasha Wallace
Counselor
Police Athletic League
Queens, NY

"It’s the best reading material right now for teenagers. Some of my students even take the books home to read."

Brittany Grissett
Counselor
, Child Center of NY/MS 72
Queens, NY

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