Youth Communications trains minority teens from low-income families in writing, photography and illustration as they produce New Expression, a teen newspaper. Published nine times a year, the paper has a circulation of 80,000 and reaches youth in public schools city-wide. Students entering the program receive an orientation that prepares them to write opinion and feature stories. Teams of student reporters are assigned to various desks: creative writing, graphic design, photography, college/career, school affairs, health, sports, entertainment or editorial. If students desire, they can cross over to other desks. At biweekly staff meetings, students get updates on stories for future issues and hear presentations by professional journalists and other guest speakers. An advisory panel of journalists and youth service professionals assists in planning and evaluation. The paper is produced with desktop publishing at the Youth Communications facility, which also has a photography darkroom for student use. Participants receive free transportation and become eligible for salaried positions. The paper includes monthly lesson plans and exercises created to stimulate writing and discussion among student readers.