826LA’s Tutoring Programs are FREE and offer a space where students in grades 2nd to 12th can connect with one another and develop their social emotional skills while working on their writing skills by participating in a writing project that is published in books we produce throughout the school year.
While 826LA’s overall focus is student writing and community building, we happily help students as they work on their homework with the support of volunteers, who work 1:1 or with small groups of students to best guide them on their assignments.
The Basics
Write On! After-School
Every day in Write On! After-School, our students arrive ready to connect with one another through various fun group activities and work on their budding creative skills by tackling a writing project designed by staff. These works are refined, collected and published in chapbooks we produce two times a year, which are celebrated with release parties. The process of writing and publishing is an important aspect of our program, and an opportunity for students to bring their imagination to life.
While 826LA’s overall focus is on student writing and community building, we happily help students as they work on their homework. Our volunteers give students the help they need. Once homework is complete, students can select and work on different educational activities with their volunteers.
TNT
During Tuesday and Thursday Night Tutoring (TNT), middle and high school students settle into our writing labs to work through their homework at subject-specific tables. Our volunteers not only help students with their homework, but also become a part of their journey to become published authors through chapbooks published once a year.
TNT students work on a creative writing project with the help of volunteers in small-group writing workshops. These works are edited, refined, and published into chapbooks, which are celebrated with release parties. Through this writing process, our TNT students are able to stretch their imaginations, wade through difficult subject matter, and develop their unique voices.
Check Out Our Student’s Publications
What Are You? I Have Forgotten!:
A Collection of Shape Poetry
Fall 2022 Write On! After School
A Painting from Dreamland
TNT 2021–2022
Enrolling in 826LA’s Tutoring Programs
826LA aims to provide our free educational services to under-resourced schools, teachers, and students in Los Angeles. Due to high demand and limited spaces, priority will be given to students who meet the following requirements:
- Students must qualify for Free or Reduced Priced Lunch and/or attend a Title 1 School.
- Please Note: A student does not have to be enrolled in FRPL program. To check if your student(s) qualifies, ask your school office or visit the Department of Agriculture website here.
- Students must commit to regularly attending the program twice a week for the duration of the school year.
- Students must participate in all aspects of the tutoring program, including the writing process of a piece to be published in our chapbooks.
If you or your student do not meet these qualifications, we encourage you to check out the Workshop program here.
If interested in our program,
please fill out the following Referral Form.
Who are the 826LA Volunteers
Volunteers are community members from around the Echo Park and Mar Vista locations that are looking to support local youth. They come from different backgrounds and areas of expertise and are often retired educators, writers and college students.
Volunteers are welcomed to sign up based on their availability and can commit to our programs on a weekly basis or whenever their schedule allows. Therefore, volunteer numbers will vary session by session and given the needs of the program, volunteers will either work 1:1 or with a small group of students. Volunteers support students through each section of our programs and provide small group management, guidance on assignments and encouragement throughout the day.
Before volunteering for 826LA, volunteers MUST complete a background check and orientation. You can learn more about volunteering at 826LA here.
Questions?
Check the Tutoring Programs FAQ page for answers to additional questions.
Email the Tutoring Team at Tutoring@826LA.org or give us a call at the following numbers:
ECHO PARK
213-413-3388
MAR VISTA
310-915-0200