No one could have predicted a year like 2020, but 826LA and friends worked tirelessly to ensure students received the support they needed. The pandemic amplified the challenges our students face, producing an environment difficult for young people to navigate. However, remote learning and this year’s struggle for social and racial justice also revealed opportunities for growth and connection. Here are ten ways that 826LA—with help from volunteers, educators, families, and donors—fostered learning and creativity in 2020.
826LA Supports High School Seniors Virtually: The 8th Annual Scholarship Day was slated to start a day after LAUSD schools closed their doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In response to the sudden closure, 826LA staff and volunteers pulled together to help over 65 high school students write their scholarship essays.
In November, our In-Schools team transformed our 11th annual Great Los Angeles Personal Statement Weekend into a virtual, two-weekend format. Students were matched with trained volunteers for a day to develop their personal statements for college applications.
826LA’s Virtual Field Trips Improve Accessibility For Under-Resourced Schools: The LAUSD school year resumed virtually in fall, and so did 826LA’s Field Trips program. Professor Barnacle adapted to virtual work after a “a time-traveling vacation to 1982 or 2891” according to Cathy Mayer, our Field Trips Program Coordinator. 826LA will continue to offer virtual field trips when in-person classes resume since the virtual format is more accessible to Title I schools struggling with transportation costs.
Changing The Story Celebrates 15 Years of Student Writing: Featuring Tom Hanks, Mindy Kaling, Judd Apatow, Keegan-Michael Key, Constance Wu, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, and Al Madrigal, 826LA’s 6th annual fundraiser event streamed student stories live to supporters on Youtube and Twitch, and raised more than $500,000 to support our free writing and tutoring programs.
826LA Hosts Virtual Town Hall: 826LA convened a Virtual Town Hall, in which experts from the educational community discussed the challenges and opportunities posed by remote learning. Educators, parents, and community members were invited to learn and ask questions about the effect of distance learning on students, families, and schools.
Student Writing Is Featured On 826LA’s Virtual Hub: We’re always talking about how brilliant our students are, but don’t take our word for it: Check out their writing yourself! Student publications are now available on our website’s Virtual Hub–in addition to writing resources for students grades 1 through 12 .
826LA and Partners Provide At-Home Learning Supplies For Students: As education transitioned online, 826LA recognized the need for physical learning materials. In April, 826LA employees distributed books, worksheet packets, and other essential writing supplies to our students and families in Mar Vista and Echo Park.
In order to make our summer 2020 WO!W Camp activities accessible for all students to take part in, our team prepared learning materials, art supplies, stickers, and snacks for campers to pick up or have delivered beforehand.
At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, 826LA staff gave away over 80 art kits containing art ,writing supplies, and more donated by The Broad Art Museum.
826LA Records Writing Workshop Webinars: Our staff and friends taught fun writing lessons on haikus, time capsules, and more, and they are still available on YouTube.
Compendium Illustrates 15 Years Of 826LA: Our compendium book The Sun Was Trying to Tell Me Something features 15 years of student writing and serves as a timely reminder that young people from under-resourced communities also come from traditions of resilience and creativity.
826LA Partners With Paramount To Support Young Writers: Over 30 high school students participated in a total of eight writing sessions with Paramount Pictures, where they reflected on the forces that have shaped their current identities. With the help of Paramount Pictures volunteers, students channeled these reflections into writing and publishing a collection of personal essays.
Local Artist Brings The Time Travel Mart To Life–In Lotería Form: The Time Travel Mart collaborated with local artist Miguel Valenzuela to bring the store’s most recognizable features to the tabla in the style of loteria, a popular Mexican game similar to bingo.
This year at 826LA, our students proved they are determined to overcome any obstacle to write and reach their dreams. Our community of volunteers, friends and staff also demonstrated that they will support our students no matter what challenges may come.
Thank you to our students, volunteers, donors and staff for making 2020 an incredible year of resilience and community. We could not reach our 15th year without your dedication, and we look to 2021 confident that we can reach our goals to help students from under-resourced communities.