Gallery of Stars Series: Ages 8-12
Unlocking authentic youth voices through creativity and community connection.
Service Description
The Gallery of Stars Series is a powerful, youth-centered creative expression initiative designed to uplift, empower, and emotionally support marginalized and at-risk youth through storytelling, visual arts, social-emotional learning, and community connection. Rooted in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, the program creates a safe, affirming environment where young people can explore identity, emotions, resilience, and real-world social issues through creativity rather than clinical intervention. Developed alongside youth contributors, the Gallery of Stars Series centers authentic youth voice and leadership while helping participants build confidence, communication skills, emotional awareness, empathy, and a stronger sense of belonging. The program serves youth from communities often impacted by systemic inequities, including poverty, housing instability, racism, xenophobia, family trauma, and limited access to supportive resources. Through art and writing, participants are encouraged to express themselves freely, process emotions safely, and discover the power of their own voice. The series includes immersive seasonal workshops in creative writing and visual arts, where youth engage in guided discussions, collaborative projects, reflective activities, journaling, painting, mixed media, storytelling, and community-building exercises. Each season explores meaningful social themes such as homelessness, healing, justice, belonging, food insecurity, and resilience in age-appropriate and compassionate ways. Participants are never required to disclose personal experiences, allowing creativity to become a pathway toward emotional safety, imagination, and empowerment. Throughout the program, youth strengthen critical thinking and social awareness while developing practical creative skills in writing, visual storytelling, collaboration, and presentation. Workshops intentionally foster empathy, self-worth, cultural affirmation, and leadership development. Sessions include interactive games, emotional check-ins, peer encouragement, collaborative artmaking, and supportive reflection spaces that help participants feel seen, heard, and valued. Each season concludes with the Gallery of Stars Showcase, a youth-led celebration where participants proudly share their artwork, stories, and creative projects with families and community members. These showcases transform young voices into visible community impact while reinforcing confidence.
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
Welcome to Grounded Stars! Participant Group Rules — Please Read Carefully There are no refunds. Please reach out if you need to reschedule your missed class. We're happy to help. Our group spaces are designed to be safe, supportive, and protected spaces for youth and young adults. To keep it that way, everyone must follow these important rules while participating in any class, workshop, or group session. Camera Rules Cameras must stay ON during the entire session so we can protect the group and make sure everyone is really who they say they are. If you need to step away, you must tell the facilitator in chat or on camera before leaving. You can only be away for up to 10 minutes. If your camera is off and you ignore two reminders from the facilitator, you will be removed from the session for safety reasons. Respect and Behavior Rules Always show respect to other participants and facilitators. No bullying, harassment, or disrespectful language. No foul language, slurs, or hateful speech — this is a safe zone for everyone. Be open-minded and supportive of others, no matter their background or life experiences. Privacy and Safety Rules No sharing your contact information (phone numbers, social media, email, addresses) in the group or after the group. Do not ask for or pressure anyone else to share their personal information. You must be alone on camera, with no friends or family joining your screen unless it’s a family program. They can sit beside you. You must join from a quiet, safe space with no background distractions like loud TV, phone calls, or music. Dress Code You must be FULLY dressed in public-appropriate clothing during all sessions. Time and Attendance Be on time! The session will start on time, and anyone joining late may not be allowed in. Frequent lateness, disruptive behavior, or ignoring these rules will lead to removal from the group and may impact your ability to join future programs. By joining our group, you agree to follow these rules. Repeated or serious violations will result in being removed from the group, and we will notify your guardian or case manager if needed. We want this space to feel good for everyone — let’s keep it safe, focused, and supportive!
Contact Details
535 Fifth Avenue 4th floor, New York, NY, USA
9142944639
kierra@groundedstars.com