Our SQUAD
Allocator of Anthologies
Claudia is everywhere at once in the neighborhood, making sure our books are available for sale at local businesses.
Claudia Boynton
More about Claudia
Claudia has lived her entire adult life, and raised her daughter, in NYC. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, she is a Chaplain. She’s devoted to her dog and reading. (she/her)
Design Diva
With every design, Gianna makes Uptown Stories even cooler and more colorful. Added bonus: they’re the funny one.
Gianna Fralonardo
More about Gianna
Gianna is a NYC based illustrator and writer. They work on graphic design and illustration for Uptown Stories and Uptown Ink, as well as assist with the “It’s Your Thing” class. They are currently working on a webcomic slated to premiere fall 2022. In their free time, they can be found playing too many video games, having many emotions about elves and/or vampires, as well as being their friend’s personal sleep paralysis demon. (they/them)
Ideal Intern
The multi-talented Bella is the key to our summer efforts for programming, publishing, and marketing.
Bella Wells-Fried
More about Bella
Bella is a writer, musician, and empathetic human. She cares deeply about regenerative environmentalism and anti-racism and spends a lot of her time figuring out ways that she can directly participate in solutions. When she’s in need of a break from the heavy truths of the world, you may find her climbing rocks, running around barefoot in fields and streams, or playing cards with her loved ones. (she/her)
Marketing Magician
No illusions here! With Alison, it’s all real. From SEO to copywriting, she dazzles us with her sleight-of-hand.
Alison Chan
More about Alison
Alison is an SEO Analyst originally from New York. After graduating from Stony Brook University with her Bachelors in Applied Mathematics & Statistics, she obtained an MBA in marketing. While completing her undergraduate degree, she was a summer marketing intern at Uptown Stories. (she/her)
Worker Bee
Things are getting crossed off our to-do list faster than we could have imagined now that Amena is on the scene.
Amena Steenhuis
More about Amena
Amena is an avid reader of history, fiction, and fantasy, (and currently making the foray into nonfiction and theory). She loves to write and pencil-sketch when she can- and am not spending all her time on Goodreads. (she/her)
Join us
Adwords Authority
If the mysteries of AdWords are second nature to you, keep reading. Google gives us $10K in Google Ads each month – and we need help using that opportunity to spread the good word about Uptown Stories.
Your Name here
Anthologester
The Anthologester helps edit and lay out the print anthology published at the conclusion of each semester.
Your Name here
D.O.E. Diplomat
Help us communicate with your school’s administration, literacy teachers, PTA, and parent community.
Your Name here
Essay Writing Tutor
If you’re a writer, an editor, or teacher who would like to use your talents for good, this is your chance to help shape the future! We’ll be assisting students with their high school essays, giving them the best chance to go to the high school of their choice.
Your Name here
Granter of Wishes
Help us secure funding by writing one grant proposal. We’ll familiarize you with our programs, goals and financial needs and assign you a grant. You’ll compile the information, compose, and together we’ll hit send on a proposal.
Your Name here
Ideal Intern
Interns are knights in shining armor: dedicated to the details, willing to conquer every task, and dependable throughout the semester. If you’re eager to learn the skills to own whatever life throws your way, come be a part of the inner workings of Uptown Stories.
Your Name here
Photo Phenom
Our young writers are picture perfect, and we have a bizillion photos to prove it. We need someone to help us create an official, searchable library. If you’re organized, consistent, and can think – forgive the pun – big picture as well as in thumbnail detail, you’re the librarian we’re looking for.
Your Name here
Press Liaison
Communicate with local media and develop relationships, spreading the word about our pay-what-you-can program. Skills: excellent telephone and email etiquette, experience writing effective press releases.
Your Name here
Researcher of Fun Facts
Let’s get meta – help us find research about the positive impact of writing (especially creative writing), youth development, stats about our neighborhood, and other fun facts that support the Uptown Stories mission.
Your Name here
Scholastic Scholar
If you understand the fine details of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (or are willing to learn them) our writers could use your help navigating the waters.
Your Name here
Social Media Savant
Use your magic to help us find interesting content to share with our Uptown family on Facebook and Instagram. Info on publishing opportunities, writing and art, and book recommendations are top on our list, but we’re open to suggestions. If you think you can help us grow our following, let us know.
Your Name here
Uptown Ink Assistant
Uptown Ink is our online magazine that showcases essays, poems and comics from our posse of young writers and artists. If you have the desire to support the posse with your editing skills or WordPress experience, we could definitely use your assistance.
Your Name here
Volunteer Sleuth
The backbone of Uptown Stories is our mighty Small Job Squad – volunteers who know how to get things done. We’re in need of a Sleuth who can find the greatest volunteers in all the land who are willing to help get a variety of jobs done, supporting the mission of Uptown Stories.
Your Name here
Worker Bee
If you like crossing off things on your to-do list, and have a few hours to give during the week, we have a multitude of small but important tasks that need to be taken care of.
Your Name here
Workshop Wizard
Workshop wizards provide extra support to instructors in our writing workshops. Duties can include taking attendance, helping students one-on-one or in small groups with their writing, and assisting with the preparation of the end of semester readings and anthology.
Your Name here
Zapier Specialist
As a Zapier specialist, you’ll be able to help make our systems run as Zapier intended them to – with efficiency! We’re a tiny organization so every Zap created means more time with our young writers.
