What is SAYiT?
The Story Works Alaska Youth Team (SAYiT) is a group of Story Works participants who meet outside of school hours to plan and conduct projects to support youth stories. First launched by Story Works alumni in January 2015, SAYiT works on a number of out-of-school projects including:
- Hosting Extra Credit, an annual youth storytelling event featuring students from multiple high schools.
- Leading story workshops for elementary-aged students.
- Producing podcasts featuring stories about bullying prevention and overcoming challenges.
- Leading workshops at national and local education conferences.
- Producing a series of videos, in collaboration with the Alaska Teen Media Institute, to support Story Works participants in classrooms beyond Anchorage.
- Creating content to increase youth voice in the Story Works curriculum.
Click here to meet some SAYiT members!
SAYiT’s Podcast, Youth Voice Alaska, out now!
Youth Voice Alaska‘s The Art of Being You is about what we, Alaska’s youth, are made of, how we perceive the world and ourselves, and what lessons have helped each of us find our unique identities. Our first episode (out super soon!) is about the comedic life lessons that helped us along the way.
We’re super excited to share our work with you! Our podcast was released on February 28,2022 and is now available on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Subscribe so you can tune in as soon as new episodes come out, and also binge our previous podcast series from Youth Voice Alaska!
We’ve also created a listening guide to help you share and reflect as you listen to stories. Use this guide with your family and friends, in your classroom, with your colleagues or on your own. SAYiT hopes that through this podcast and accompanying guide you will feel inspired to share your own stories and to connect with others over shared and unique experiences, strengthening our communities and personal wellbeing.
You can access the listening guide for episode 1 here. *Note: you can make a copy of the google doc to write directly in the guide on your device*
Follow Story Works on Instagram and Facebook for real time updates about Youth Voice Alaska: The Art of Being You, including podcast art, English/LA lesson plans, and release notifications!
Membership/How to Join SAYiT
SAYiT is open to all youth ages 12-24 who have participated in Story Works programs. If you are interested in learning more, please complete this form, below and we will send you information about meetings, etc.
In-person weekly meetings are held in Anchorage but members also have the option to join virtually if they are unable to attend in person. Note: Due to COVID-19, SAYiT is meeting virtually until further notice. Our Zoom meetings are still weekly and only 30-60 minutes.