- About
Teen Voices, a publication of New Morning Youth and Family Services, is a non-profit newspaper written, edited and designed entirely by local youth. It offers an open, unbiased forum for expressing ideas, opinions, joys and pains through contributions of original writing and art. We strive to connect youth to each other, to valuable resources, and just as importantly, to members of the community who are not part of the youth demographic.
- The Youth in El Dorado County
El Dorado County's youth and young adults play a substantial role in defining our local climate. They shape the health and direction of our commerce, arts, entertainment, culture, social spirit, and mindset; they will be the bearers of our future's voice and vitality. Over one quarter of our populace is eighteen years old or younger, and El Dorado County is a diligent protector of its youth's health, safety and rights — yet what our youth all too often lack is an outlet of any visibility for free expression. With organizations like CASA, Child Protective Services and the Pregnancy Counseling Center, no young person in our county is without help or representation — yet all youth must be aware of the resources available to them, and beyond protection of life and welfare, we hope to make youth aware that they are heard and respected.
Placerville and its surrounding communities are proud cultivators of historical awareness and identity, and within a few years' time, today's teens will be stepping into roles as our police officers, attorneys, restauranteurs, gallery owners, councilpeople and youth advocates — keepers and celebrators of our community's constitution.
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- For Teens
If you are between the ages of 13 and 19 and like to write or draw, we welcome your contributions to our paper! We will print just about any kind of writing or drawing you can think of — see the list in the sidebar at right for some ideas.
All submissions to Teen Voices must be accompanied by a Publication Release Form; you can download our form or write out your own form with the same information.
Please see the sidebar at right for information about where and how to submit your work, and for a link to our Publication Release Form.
- Why contribute to Teen Voices?
Sending your writing, poetry, drawings, editorial pieces, etc., to Teen Voices gives you the opportunity to have your work published and seen by the entire county. Publication of your work looks great in your portfolio, is a statement that what you think and feel matter, and allows your voice to be heard by the members of our community, from other teens who want to know that they're not alone in what they feel, to adults who may have forgotten what it's like to be a teen.
If you, your siblings, your friends, or your classmates want to be seen and heard, Teen Voices wants to hear from you.
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- For Parents
If your son or daughter or one their friends has shown an interest in or is talented at writing, art, or journalism, you can play an important role in developing confidence in their work and desire to continue to make themselves heard. Encouragement from a parent or a friend's parent can have significant, positive impact on the way youth view themselves and the worth of their ideas; publication in an outlet like Teen Voices can amplify that reinforcement of self-worth and can play a part in a youth's drive to express their voice within the community. Forwarding a piece of art or writing by a youth in your life for inclusion in Teen Voices is an expression of confidence that also benefits the youth community at large.
You are invited to send us the work of a special youth in your life, with their permission and an accompanying Publication Release form. Please see the sidebar at right for a form download link and our contact information.
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- For Community Members
Teen Voices would like to offer El Dorado County's youth the widest possible distribution of their work, in an earnest effort to broaden the visibility of our youth's voice and plight. All members of the community are welcome and invited to be outlets for our publication—educators and counselors, restaurant, gallery and shop owners, businesspeople, civil offices, foundations and clubs.
Any parties interested in being an outlet for Teen Voices will receive four free distributions annually.
If you are interested in contributing to, distributing, sponsoring, or hosting the production of an issue of Teen Voices, you are invited to contact Advisor Erica Inderlied via mail, phone, fax or email for more details. Thank you for your invaluable support.
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- For Educators and Counselors
As an educator or counselor, you are already playing a key role in improving the lives of our youth, and you have substantial opportunity to help aspiring writers, poets, artists and journalists gain exposure for their expression through publication in Teen Voices.
If you have students or clients who express themselves through writing or drawing, submitting their work for inclusion in Teen Voices can be a demonstration of your confidence in them and the validity of their expression. Having work published can be a very encouraging and reassuring experience for the young people you work with, making them feel that they are recognized and respected.
Publication of any work requires youth permission in the form of a Publication Release. If you are interested in submitting work from your students, clients, or other young people in your life, please see the sidebar at right for contact information and a link to download our Publication Release Form.
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- Issues
Please click the links below to download PDFs of our current and past issues (please be patient as most are 12-page files).
If you're unable to download .pdfs, click the button below for a free download of the latest version of Adobe Reader.
If you would like to request paper copies of any of the issues, please write, call or email.
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