1. Why are you called 826?
826NYC is part of the 826 Network which includes 9 chapters and a national organization. Every 826 is dedicated to helping students write their futures. The first chapter was founded at 826 Valencia street in 2002 and now there are nine chapters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Michigan, Boston, D.C., New Orleans, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and, of course, New York City. There are also chapters in development in Dallas and Oakland.
2. Whose idea was this?
The author Dave Eggers and the educator Ninive Caligeri founded both 826Valencia and 826National. Watch the full origin story in Dave's TED Talk.
3. What is the purpose of an 826?
We believe that creative writing is essential for youth development, so we create imaginative and intensely personal programs that build writing skills and confidence in NYC students ages 6-18.
4. How can someone get involved with 826NYC?
You can volunteer with us!
You can enroll a student in a program or host an event at the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.!
You can become a donor!
1. Start with the mission.
826NYC is a nonprofit organization that focuses on encouraging the exploration of endless possibility through the power of writing. Our mission is to empower students with the skills to write their own paths forward, undefined by circumstance, and to support new and exciting approaches to writing and inspire student engagement. We offer a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students ages 6-18 with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills including: Write After School, Write Together, Write Away Workshops, Young Writers Publish, Teen Writers' Collective, and quaranTEEN voices.
2. Illustrate Impact.
Creative writing is crucial to the growth of young people, both academically and social emotionally, yet our education system fails to develop those skills— especially in under-resourced schools. 826NYC provides the expertise and intensely personal creative writing experience students need to grow and develop their academic, social, and creative skills. Volunteers in 826NYC programs provide top-notch curriculum with accessible resources and individual support built so that every student can thrive. With the support of dedicated writing mentors, 826NYC students report growth in classroom performance, as well as growth in key behavioral and emotional traits, like self-confidence and curiosity.
3. Highlight why volunteering with 826NYC will be good for company culture.
826NYC works with over 400 volunteers every year who come to us individually or as part of a school or corporate team. They provide intensive training for every volunteer, regardless of background or education, to feel confident in their youth development skills. Corporate teams that participate in 826NYC programming afterwards report increased team morale, positive group and self-identity, and an increased sense of community. Moreover, working with our inventive and curious young authors sparks creativity in the volunteers as well! They arrive back to work the next day refreshed, inspired, and ready to take on projects from new perspectives.