Inaugural Young Writers Workshop — July 2027

Help Me Sprout, Inc. is proud to introduce our inaugural Young Writers Workshop, taking place in July 2027 in Long Island City, New York. Created to support the emotional well-being, resilience, and creative development of young people, this program will provide a safe and encouraging space where participants can find their voice, explore their experiences through storytelling, and discover writing as a therapeutic tool for healthy emotional expression and healing. Through guided writing activities, mentorship, and meaningful connections with peers and caring adults, participants will strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and develop resilience that can extend far beyond the workshop. We are especially honored to welcome acclaimed author Jacqueline Woodson as our guest mentor speaker, offering young writers the opportunity to learn from a powerful literary voice and see what is possible when their own stories are valued and shared. Jacqueline Woodson is an acclaimed author of more than 40 books for children, young adults, and adults, including Brown Girl Dreaming, The Day You Begin, Harbor Me, and Remember Us. Her distinguished career includes the National Book Award, MacArthur Fellowship, Hans Christian Andersen Award, multiple NAACP Image Awards, and service as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, making her an extraordinary literary mentor for aspiring young writers. Our inaugural Young Writers Workshop will welcome 20 young people from across the United States, from grades 5-12, to spend an inspiring week with us in New York City. Young people and families interested in participating in this program are invited to complete the interest form below.