Our Supporters

We couldn't do it without you!

We are a small but mighty force of teachers and artists, who are here for the sole purpose of giving young people a way to tell their stories, whatever form that takes. Writing can free your soul or a nation, help your heart heal or the world grow, or reveal who you really are or want to be.

Every organization and individual listed here understands the importance of creative writing and why supporting Uptown Stories is vital to our young writers, and the community of upper Manhattan. Thank you for supporting us – we couldn’t do it without you!

Major Funders

Ava's Smile
Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
Elephant Rock Foundation
Find Your Light Foundation
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Leon Levy Foundation
NewsCorp
Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation
NYC City Council
Discretionary Funding Carmen De La Rosa
NYC Department of
Cultural Affairs (DCLA)
Pinkerton Foundation
UMEZ Hybrid Microloan
SparkYouth NYC

Community Supporters

Buunni Coffee
Cornerstone Center
HEIGHTSIGHTS
Le Cheile NYC
A Sign of Success
Word Up Community Bookshop

Community Partners

Bank Street School For Children
SONYC
Early RAPP
Hudson Cliffs
Harbor Heights
Columbia Secondary School
The Uptown Hub / NewYork-Presbyterian
I really appreciate the fact that every every student has a voice in their class. They trust each other and they listen to each other. All of this is happening because Uptown Stories has created a community of learners where everyone learns from each other.

Nina

Parent

The quality of teaching is superb. The teachers have the chance to get to know each child, and due to the small class size, the feedback is very specific. Also, witnessing the other children critique the writing is remarkable - the children are kind and respectful, but very honest.

Lori

Parent

Uptown Stories redefined "after school enrichment" for me. The kids were learning the fundamentals of good writing, but in a way that felt like a fun romp, rather than a two-hour slog through rules and thesis statements.

HK

Parent

Being able to expand my mind in a loving and supportive environment has shaped my mind in so many wonderful ways, and I'm eternally grateful for it. I've come a long way, and it's all thanks to the community at Uptown Stories.

Susannah

Student

Writing used to be something that was just work; something we have to do at school. However, now it's a way for me to express different things, and it's much more enjoyable now that there is a place where everyone has the same passion for writing that I do.

Anna

Student

Thanks to [Uptown Stories], a passing interest has become a passion.

Gerry

Parent

Uptown Stories has helped me come out of my shell and explore my imagination. My writing has become more complex and descriptive over the years. It is helpful and fun to anyone who is interested in writing or not!

Kayla

Student

I've met a fantastic group of people and become a much better writer. Kate and the rest of the staff are hardworking and fun to work with.

Joseph

Student

Ready to Join a Workshop?

Advanced Fiction

There’s always more to learn, fiction writers! Come build on the skills you’ve already got, and dig deeper into the qualities that give all the best stories that extra POP!

Whichever genre of fiction you prefer (historical, fantasy, realistic, etc.) is welcome! We’ll focus on the fine details that will take your writing from good to great: natural, character-driven dialogue; proper pacing; inciting incidents; raising the stakes; plot-twists; and, of course, the art of the satisfying ending. We’ll look to our favorite fiction writers for inspiration, and discover new works worthy of your attention.

This workshop is for students who are familiar with the basics of fiction writing, and who would like to grow as writers.

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The Nature of Poetry

Embark on a poetic journey where nature becomes our muse! Join our vibrant group of young poets as we venture out into upper Manhattan’s flourishing summer landscapes and find poetry in the world around us. As we write and read poetic verse we’ll discover what’s beneath every rock, leaf, and flower, open ourselves up to all of our senses, and use what we find around us to create drawings, fairy dwellings, pocket pals, and whatever calls our imaginations. Join the poetic adventurers for one week of local field trips in Washington Heights that will deepen your connection with nature and inspire journals filled with artistic creations! Enter the magical worlds waiting just around the corner.

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Writing and Drawing Comic Books

Get ready to run faster and jump higher, one frame at a time! Together we’re taking your stories and transforming them into comics. You’ll take an ordinary day (or the wildest story you can imagine) and use comic-book language, illustration, and frames to share with everyone the next super-adventure. You don’t need to be an artist to join us – just bring your best ideas. You’ll learn all the steps to comics illustration and development, including pin-ups, single-frame and multi-frame pages, using pencils, pens, paints, crayons, and other art materials.

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