Concerned by the declining literacy rate in today’s middle and high schools, Ted Hartley and Dina Merrill created The Story Project enlisting one of Los Angeles’ most abundant resources, creative talent.  Since then, we have reached thousands of kids with our entertainment-arts curriculum made possible by media professionals working in today’s film, television, and music industries.  Our strategy is simple, inspire literacy through avenues they already enjoy. Each and every class occurs in an after-school setting where working writers, actors, directors and production professionals volunteer their time to our students.  Through discussions and activities based in screenwriting, filmmaking, poetry, photography, and an assortment of media and art related fields, the mentors reveal personal stories while inspiring the kids to share their own. It has been our experience that these interactions bolster self-esteem while enhancing reading and writing skills. 

To date more than a thousand at-risk kids have participated in our curriculum and the numbers continue to grow. 

Our mission is accomplished through the constant financial and in-kind contributions from the entertainment community in addition to corporate and individual donors.  If you would like to become part of our story, please contact us at: info@storyproject.com