826LA’s 2024 Top 10 Achievements

What’s a year-end wrap-up without a celebratory top-ten list? At 826LA, we thrive on unlocking the creative magic of writing for students ages 6 to 18—and 2024 was no exception! This year was one for the books (pun intended), filled with moments of inspiration, community, and, of course, incredible student achievements.

Thanks to the unwavering support of donors, volunteers, educators, families, and our brilliant young writers, we accomplished so much together. So, let’s raise a metaphorical toast to your impact and dive into the biggest highlights of this unforgettable year!

1. Crushing College Applications at Write Your Future Personal Statement Day
More than 200 students tackled their college essays like champions at our 15th annual Write Your Future event. Held at Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School, this marathon writing session paired students with over 140 enthusiastic volunteers—including brand-new partnerships with corporate and collegiate groups. The result? Essays polished to perfection and dreams set into motion!

"Adziry R, remarked, "This event was very good overall and I heard good feedback from my peers. Thank you for your hard work and time: you're helping students who have a big dream to succeed. I don't know how to express my gratitude."

2. Hosting the 826 National Convention in L.A.
This summer, 826 chapters from across the country—from Boston to New Orleans—landed in sunny Los Angeles for the annual 826 National Convention. For the first time since the pandemic, the 826 family reunited in person to learn from one another, explore our whimsical Writing Labs, and celebrate the power of storytelling. It was an inspiring reminder that the 826 magic spans coast to coast!

3. Publishing “Doors to Our Future” with the Black Writers' Initiative
This year marked a historic first: our Young Authors’ Book Project for elementary students, created in partnership with 74th Street Elementary School. Through the Black Writers’ Initiative, young storytellers brought their imaginations to life in Doors to Our Future—and trust us, these kids know how to inspire!

4. A Record-Breaking 826Fest Celebration
This year’s 826Fest was nothing short of epic. Held on—you guessed it— on August 26, we welcomed record-breaking crowds for a day of celebration, including an open mic, school supplies donated by Universal Studios, and plenty of 826LA magic. It’s safe to say we partied like storytellers!

5. Summer Writers Workshop: A “Terrifyingly” Good Time
Flash fiction, bold creativity, and boundless imagination took center stage at this year’s Summer Writers Workshop. Students at both our Mar Vista and Echo Park locations wrote stories compiled in a perfect-bound book, A Nice Time Despite The Terrifying Experience, with a foreword by Emmy-winning filmmaker Davy Rothbart. Terrifying? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely.

6. Bringing the Magic with Traveling Field Trips
Can’t come to us? We’ll come to you! Our Barnacle & Barnacle publishing team hit the road, delivering over 50 Traveling Field Trips to 28 classrooms across Los Angeles. Students collaborated to write their own stories, complete with illustrated, published books to take home. The look on their faces when they saw their work in print? Priceless.

7. Changing the Story Gala Hits New Heights
Hosted by Jerrika Hinton (Grey’s Anatomy) and featuring comedian Joe Dombrowski, this year’s Changing the Story Gala had it all: laughter, inspiration, and over $250,000 raised to support our mission. The highlight? Students taking the stage to read from their published works—cue the standing ovations!

8. A Fresh New Look for 826LA
In 2024, we leveled up with a brand-new website, thanks to the talented Monforte Studios. Sleek, mobile-friendly, and connected to our growing social media presence, the new site makes it easier than ever to support our mission and engage with our community. Talk about a glow-up!

9. Expanding Our Partnerships and Student Publications
From publishing our 12th collection with Academic Leadership Community (Scenes from the Heart) to joining LA County’s Youth Development Network, our partnerships grew as much as our impact. Oh, and over 125 student publications were added to the LA Public Library’s Zine collection. Yep, our students are officially published authors.

10. Love, Laughter, and Open Mic Night
In February, we hosted a love-themed open mic night featuring original works from volunteers, students, and even our Executive Director. The night was full of heart, creativity, and so much joy—proof that 826LA isn’t just about writing; it’s about building community.

Executive Director, jaime Balboa takes the stage

Here’s to every student, volunteer, and supporter who made this year a wild success. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!