Voices of Youth Kalamazoo

VOICES OF YOUTH FALL 2026 ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW!

Are you a Kalamazoo County youth (Grades 9 to 12) interested in writing and learning more about journalism? If so, we invite you to be a part of Voices of Youth!

Voices of Youth Kalamazoo is a paid journalism training program supported by the Stryker Johnston Foundation.

Enrolling now for Fall Voices of Youth Cohort 2026! Please register HERE. The Fall 2026 Cohort launches Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maple Street YMCA (lunch provided). The next three meetings take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, Nov. 7, 14, and 21.

Come with an issue or concern that interests you, and you will be paired with a professional journalist who will provide mentorship and guidance to help you complete a publishable project. You will be paid a stipend both for attending the workshop and for the finished project.

If you have any questions, please reach out at contact@secondwavemedia.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Nature beneath the power lines: Transforming utility corridors into public trails

In Portage, trails through Consumers Energy Co. utility corridors offer a place to encounter nature close to home, as well as a look at what sharing a landscape entails.

Planet Z Commentary: We are nature — it’s time we started acting like it

The greatest challenge of the 21st Century may be remembering our place in the natural world. In this commentary, Planet Z Project Editor Harper Horvath explores how our growing disconnection from nature threatens both environmental sustainability and human well-being.

Sustainability is everywhere on campus — so why do students feel left behind?

As colleges promote sustainability through recycling programs and climate initiatives, students and faculty at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University question whether higher education institutions are doing enough to address the climate crisis through funding, policy, and climate education.

Voices of Youth Commentary: Why school districts should consider updating nondiscrimination policies

A look at one local district examines how school policies, student experiences, and ongoing efforts to improve inclusion shape the everyday climate for LGBTQ+ students.

Planet Z: Western Michigan University students voice concerns over Asylum Lake Preserve’s future

Many underestimate how important wild, natural places like the Asylum Lake Preserve are to nearby college students. The potential transfer of the preserve raises questions and concerns about its stewardship and transparency.

KNC trails are open and free to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays in May, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. with limited admissions capacity.
Voices of Youth: Six ways to improve climate change education in Kalamazoo Public Schools’ high schools 

According to a recent survey, many Kalamazoo Public Schools students feel undereducated about climate change and want more comprehensive instruction that covers its causes, impacts, and solutions.

Voices of Youth: Learning to live with artificial intelligence requires some deep thinking

AI’s growing use in schools raises concerns about student over-reliance, critical thinking loss, academic integrity, privacy risks, and environmental impact while offering efficiency and accessibility benefits.

Great Lakes, local consequences: Indigenous voices on why Line 5 matters in Kalamazoo

In Kalamazoo, Indigenous students and leaders are mobilizing against Line 5, perceiving its threat to regional watersheds and a clash with values of long-term environmental stewardship.

Voices of Youth Commentary: New happenings downtown — one teen’s perspective

Downtown Kalamazoo is undergoing rapid redevelopment that promises economic growth and increased activity but raises this Voices of Youth writer's concerns about losing historic buildings, disconnecting communities, and creating inclusive spaces.

Voices of Youth Q&A: Understanding immigration concerns in Kalamazoo

Amid rising nationwide immigration enforcement and fear, a Kalamazoo youth interviews El Concilio CEO Adrian Vazquez to explore how local organizations support immigrant families facing detention, uncertainty, and community-wide impacts.

Our Sponsors

Gilmore Foundation

Our Media Partners

Battle Creek Community Foundation
BINDA Foundation
Southwest Journalism Media Collaborative
Southwest Michigan First
Consumers Energy
WK Kellogg Foundation logo

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