By Kelsey LePage | Development Manager
As 2025 draws to a close, Girls Write Now continues to innovate, connect, and empower young writers and leaders through The Girls Write Now Collaboratory–our dynamic hub for creative expression and mentorship. This season, we’re focused on bridging divides–across generations, experiences, and communities–through the power of story.
Bridging Divides: Connection in Action
This fall, our community came together for the Girls Write Now Awards, celebrating visionary honorees like Rachel Bloom, Suleika Jaouad, Winnie Holzman, Maria Pacheco, and Kardea Brown–each embodying the transformative force of storytelling. Through exclusive interviews, mentee reflections, and live performances, our honorees and participants explored what it means to connect across difference, to listen deeply, and to lead with empathy.
The Collaboratory’s Pair Stories Project has further deepened these intergenerational bonds–pairing mentors and mentees to co-author multimedia narratives that reflect their shared learning and growth. From essays on identity and resilience to collaborative podcasts, these projects demonstrate how stories can unite us even in times of division.
A Community That Grows Together
Our “Journeys” model continues to expand nationally, offering flexible pathways in writing, digital media, and career preparation. Whether through mentorship, a single workshop, or a full creative series, participants find the support they need to thrive. Recent Collaboratory initiatives have included:
Career 360 Workshops on journalism, publishing, and digital storytelling with partners like The New York Times and NBCUniversal.
Wellness & Writing Labs focused on mental health and creative resilience, blending mindfulness and narrative therapy.
The Liminal Photography Project, led by mentee Palmares Bustamante, which provides free portraiture for families in transition and fosters open conversations about mental health.
Spotlight on Our Rising Leader: Kayla Dudley
We are proud to highlight mentee-turned-intern Kayla Dudley, whose journey embodies the mission of the Collaboratory. Through her experience at Girls Write Now, Kayla discovered that creative writing can be healing, empowering and foundational in building community. As she reflected in her Life@GWN blog, she described her mood as “earth green … very grounded and gracious, I feel a lot of support in different avenues of my life.” She founded her own poetry organization, Healotry, during her Lead 360 Journey and now uses her artistry and leadership to uplift others and build legacy. Kayla’s story demonstrates how a flexible, supportive mentorship journey not only nurtures creative skills, but builds confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit—values at the heart of Girls Write Now.
Looking Ahead: Giving Youth Day & Giving Tuesday
As we enter our year-end campaign, we’re proud to join our fellow members of the STARS Citywide Girls Initiative in celebrating #GivingYouthDay on December 1—a day that centers collaboration over competition among youth-serving organizations. We’ll then carry that spirit into Giving Tuesday, engaging mentors, alumni, and supporters to give back and uplift the next generation.
Your continued generosity makes these connections possible. Every dollar helps Girls Write Now bridge divides, amplify underrepresented voices, and create a more equitable future for all young storytellers.
By the Numbers (Since June 2025)
3,000+ youth and mentors engaged across programs
85+ workshops and creative labs hosted nationwide
250+ new mentor-mentee pairs formed
1,200+ stories published through our Collaboratory platforms
35 states represented in our expanding community
A Story of Impact
When mentee Imani joined Girls Write Now, she struggled to see herself as a writer. Through her Collaboratory Journey, she explored digital storytelling, learned from media professionals, and found her voice.
“Girls Write Now gave me the courage to tell stories that matter—to me and to the world. My mentor helped me see that writing is more than a skill; it’s a bridge between who I am and who I’m becoming.”
Stories like Imani’s and Kayla’s remind us why your support matters—because every connection, every page, every word helps bridge divides.
Thank you for being part of this movement for creativity, equality, and hope.
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