826LA is closing out 2019 strong!
We usually list our top 10 accomplishments of the year, but since we’re turning 15 in 2020, we decided a longer list was in order. Without further ado, here are 15 things that made us proud in 2019!
826LA saw a record number of hours volunteered in 2019: The 1,166 volunteers who supported 826LA’s programs enabled us to provide writing support and homework assistance for 8,770 students from under-resourced communities in Los Angeles. Our volunteers are more than just a resource that narrows the achievement gap; they are a vital part of an ecosystem that is helping our students thrive. In the 2018-19 fiscal year, they donated 21,768 hours of their time.
The Great Los Angeles Personal Statement Weekend turned 10: Over 500 students and volunteers attended 826LA’s 10th Personal Statement Weekend–a record number! Steph White, a three-time volunteer said: “Helping young people do more, be more, become what they want to be, I think that’s why I keep coming back.”
826LA is Featured in True Connections: True Connections: Teen-to-Teen Advice About Social Media and the Digital World is a collection of first-person essays written by teens about growing up as digital natives. It is edited by 826LA’s Executive Director, Joel Arquillos.
826LA Writers’ Room at Roosevelt High School officially opened: This year, we celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Roosevelt High School 826LA Writers’ Room! In the fall,he Writers’ Room specializes in helping students craft personal statements for college admission. In communities like Boyle Heights, where the median household income is less than $34,000 and only 5% of residents have a four-year college degree, many students are the first in their families to attend college.
A Conversation with Miranda July: Filmmaker, writer, and artist Miranda July joined author Michelle Tea in a conversation celebrating the weird and wonderful world of words at Second Home Hollywood.
Write On! Summer Camp students become Time Scouts: After making a splash on Kickstarter Time Scouts reached our Writing Labs! The first week of Write On! Summer Camp was dedicated to Time Scouts training. Students opened up their handbooks and earned patches for completing several writing quests. Thank you to all the Kickstarter backers who made this possible!
Another first in 826LA history: Jimmy Kimmel and Aisha Tyler are among those who’ve graced the stage at TELL ME A STORY, but this year our gala was hosted by one of our very own boisterous Tutoring students, Tito. His energy and enthusiasm about 826LA, writing, video games, cartoons, and just about everything won over the room.
Sounds of Freedom is released: 826LA’s 2019 Young Authors’ Book Project culminated with the release of Sounds of Freedom: Beats on Concrete, a professionally published book comprised of personal essays that capture students’ tenacious pursuits and visions. This year’s theme was inspired by the sounds and lyrics that have sharpened visions of freedom throughout generations. Beginning in February 2019, 826LA partnered with two teachers at Manual Arts High School and their classes to write personal essays guided by the question, “What makes you feel free?” Using their own music selections to create the Freedom Mixtape. This year’s authors wrote how freedom or the journey to find freedom impacts their lives.
The 2019 glow-up: The 826LA Writing Lab in Echo Park got an artful addition in 2019! A new mural of an Echo Park-inspired cityscape, featuring books as buildings, now overlooks the 826LA lab during programming. The books include a mixture of 826LA and classic book titles like Pride and Prejudice and LA Isn’t Just That. Can you spot Professor Barnacle’s house?
This year, brand new stages were also built for our writing centers in Echo Park and Mar Vista to showcase student readings during release parties! Thank you to long-time 826LA volunteer Evi Ellias and her team of creative collaborators for improving the look of our space once again!
The Echo Park Time Travel Mart looked so good after getting spruced up that we thought we’d accidentally time-traveled back to its opening day! A big thank you to the incredibly talented Art Mafia Studios team for their incredible work.
826LA’s team continues to grow: 826LA welcomed three new staff members to the team: Isabella, our Development Coordinator; Cecilia, our Program Coordinator; and Nadia, our Senior Programs & Writing Manager.
826LA moves to Hollywood: 826LA now has a work space at Second Home, a community-minded co-working space in Hollywood. It’s the perfect space for team meetings, networking, and even our Thanks for Giving volunteer appreciation party. As our Executive Director, Joel, says, “There’s a real authentic energy here, and it’s great to be amongst people who seem to have interesting business models and ideas. The coffee’s pretty good, too.”
It only took 15 years: 826LA held its first-ever team Halloween Costume Contest this past Halloween. From Chester Cheetah, to a rainy cloud, to Godzilla, there was no shortage of creativity and fun. We plan to make it an annual event from now on!
Cristina Henriquez visits 826LA students: Cristina Henríquez, author of The Book of Unknown Americans, helped out with the Young Authors’ Book Project and reminded our students them that everyone’s experiences matter and their stories are worth sharing.
Writing meets STEM: This year, we saw an increase in student interest and attendance in our STEM field trips and workshops. A record number of 826LA students learned coding through writing and wrote proposals for inventions that solve problems 10,000 years in the future.
On this last day of 2019, all of us at 826LA thank our students, volunteers, staff and friends for supporting 826LA. We could not do this without you.
We look forward to more amazing years with you all. Click here to find out more about how you can get involved with us in 2020.