Interviewing an Assemblymember was a major confidence booster for me. Learning that many lawmakers are willing to talk to journalists and community members about prominent issues was fulfilling. I will cherish the connections I made while at JCal, and continue utilizing my newfound skills as I take on college journalism.
Clarissa Wing San Mateo County
JCal gave me the encouragement I needed to believe I have a career in journalism. After participating in this camp, not only do I know more about the life of a journalist, but also I know the severity of the water issues in California ... This program lets students from all across California experience hands-on journalism in a safe, fun and inspiring way.
Maia Isabella Alvarez Los Angeles County
JCal has been a life-changing opportunity for me and my journalism career. At JCal, I built connections with incredibly compassionate and driven people from all backgrounds–whether student, mentor or newsroom leader. I learned and most importantly, I felt listened to.
SARAH YEE Placer County
About JCal
JCal is an all-inclusive, free journalism program that immerses California high school students into the state’s news ecosystem.
JCal had students build connections with the journalists covering their communities, learn about the inner workings of newsrooms and gain many of the skills needed to succeed in professional and academic realms. Most importantly, they returned home equipped with the knowledge and tools to tell the stories of their communities.
For its inaugural year, JCal leaders selected 22 students, who spent five days together in Sacramento. Based in the CalMatters newsroom, the students learned from journalism and civics professionals from all over California. Students also produced reporting projects focused on Water and Drought.
This innovative program is produced through a unique partnership between the Asian American Journalists Association and CalMatters.
This year’s theme was Water and Drought.
Matthew Perkins, Founder and CEO of Macro Oceans, gives a presentation to JCal students at the Macro Oceans Science and Engineering Lab in West Sacramento. June 22, 2023. Photo by Julie A Hotz for CalMatters.
Drought has largely defined California for decades. 2021 was the second driest year on record. Key river and lake reservoirs dipped to record lows, and 50 out of 58 counties had been under emergency drought proclamations.
Most of the state’s water comes from the north, while most of the residents, and most of the water usage, are in the south. A million Californians live without access to safe drinking water. Agricultural communities have to shift crops and growing methods. Oceans and rivers are forever transformed. Urban residents rip out lawns and entrepreneurs rethink their businesses. Farmers, environmentalists, tribes, legislators and regulators wrestle with the effects and argue for solutions.
This workshop enabled important storytelling that informs communities and encourages young journalists to reimagine their state’s future. Part of the workshop was devoted to completing the stories with the help of mentors and fellow students. The resulting stories were offered to local news outlets statewide.
Student testimonials
This is the type of program that needs to continue for journalism to survive. Youth have so many career options and opportunities and we can’t let the passion for journalism die. JCal has allowed me to explore a passion more deeply and make connections that will last a lifetime. It’s by far one of the best activities I’ve done and weeks later I still miss it! I just want more youth with a passion like mine to experience a program where they can challenge themselves and apply skills you can’t in a high school journalism room.
LUCY WONG Marin County
I’m truly grateful for being able to experience JCal and to meet a variety of professional journalists. This program allowed me to understand the benefits and hardships of journalism. I believe that JCal succeeded in creating a network of youth journalists that now have the opportunity to rely and support each other as they pursue journalism.
ETHAN ELOY FERNANDEZ Los Angeles County
JCal was an experience that changed my outlook on journalism. The opportunities we were able to have in a matter of five days were incredible. I consistently got inspiration from the speakers that spoke with us because they offered so much insight on journalism. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Jaimie Chun Orange County
JCal was an incredible program which opened my eyes to the important role of journalism. I hope that this program will be able to continue for future students to experience. As long as the world spins, journalism is vital for a well-educated, connected, stable society.
Jesse Morris Tulare County
JCal gave me the encouragement I needed to believe I have a career in journalism. After participating in this camp, not only do I know more about the life of a journalist, but also I know the severity of the water issues in California. This program allowed me to have a greater stake in the water issues in California and be an advocate for them. On top of that, I feel inspired to explore the dozens of different career options that are available within journalism, even if it isn’t directly reporting. This program lets students from all across California experience hands-on journalism in a safe, fun and inspiring way. Please continue to support future journalists like myself learn about this incredible profession!
MAIA ISABELLA ALVAREZ Los Angeles
JCal has been a life-changing opportunity for me and my journalism career. At JCal, I built connections with incredibly compassionate and driven people from all backgrounds–whether student, mentor or newsroom leader. I learned and most importantly, I felt listened to. I feel confident that programs like JCAL will continue to shape more positive and fulfilling newsrooms both in the student and professional space!
For many of us, including myself, this has been the first time where we were able to immerse ourselves in the lives of professional journalists and pursue journalism full force: eat, breathe and sleep journalism.
In the days since the program has ended, I’ve still received multiple emails on opportunities and advice from program organizers. I want to emphasize that JCal is not just a program, but a family.
Sarah Yee Placer County
Thank you for one of the most memorable experiences I have had in my 18 years. Interviewing an Assemblymember was a major confidence booster for me. Learning that many lawmakers are willing to talk to journalists and community members about prominent issues was fulfilling. I will cherish the connections I made while at JCal, and continue utilizing my newfound skills as I take on college journalism.
