Contra Costa Youth Journalism (CCYJ) offers a journalism training and reporting program for public high school students in Contra Costa County. During the 2026–27 school year (August–June), participants will develop journalism skills while reporting on their schools and local communities. The deadline to apply is June. 8.
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a public high school in Contra Costa County and in grades 10-12 beginning in the fall of 2026.
Benefits: Students who successfully complete the program will receive:
- A $1,000 stipend
- A certificate of completion
Publishing Opportunities: Student work will be featured on the CCYJ website (CCSpin), the news site of our fiscal sponsor, Local News Matters, and the East Bay Times.
Program Goals: CCYJ has two primary goals:
- To empower young people with essential journalism skills—including reporting, multimedia storytelling, and social media—and to strengthen their civic engagement and career development.
- To expand local news coverage by elevating youth voices and helping communities stay informed.
Workshops & Meetings: Students must attend a 3½-day journalism training camp July 20–23 and monthly editorial meetings in-person or virtual editorial meetings beginning in August.
Mentorship: Each student will be paired with a CCYJ writing coach who will guide their reporting and writing.
How to apply: Applications are due June 8.
Contact: For questions, email Bruce Koon at [email protected].
Read about our award-winning program.