Mission
826LA is dedicated to unlocking and cultivating the creative power of writing for students ages 6 to 18, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.
How we advance our mission: A nonprofit organization, our services are structured around our understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
With this in mind, we provide after-school tutoring in all subjects, evening and weekend workshops, in-school programs, field trips, college access, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.
All of our programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student’s ability to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in their own voice.
Vision
826LA envisions a Los Angeles where every child has access to quality writing education and is empowered to express themselves creatively through writing. We envision a Los Angeles where every teacher is supported in their writing-based educational objectives.
At 826LA, We’re Changing The Story
Why 826LA
Individual attention is essential for learning
LA has the second largest school district in the nation, with a ratio of 25 students per teacher (compared to 17:1 in Chicago and 15:1 in New York). 826LA provides one-on-one attention in overcrowded LAUSD classrooms by bringing trained volunteers in to support students.
Every year, Angelenos volunteer more than 15,000 hours at 826LA
Thanks to volunteers, students grow up knowing that they are part of a community that cares for them. 826LA’s volunteer corps includes writers, artists, and professionals, who collaborate with students to help them realize their dreams.
Publishing is key
Los Angeles is a creative capital of the world, with world-class gaming, entertainment, publishing, museums, and universities. Through writing and publishing student works, 826LA creates a mindset in students that allows them to see themselves as creators of the culture produced in LA, not just consumers of it.
Meet the Team
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Meet the Team 〰️
Photos by Juliana Hernandez.
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Jaime Balboa
Executive Director
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Diego Quevedo
Chief of Staff
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Shani Foster
Director of Education
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Christie Thomas
Director of Development
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Pedro Estrada
Programs & Operations Manager, Echo Park
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Mike Dunbar
Programs & Operations Manager, Mar Vista
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Mateo Acosta
Associate Director of Community Engagement
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Carinne Mangold
Store and General Operations Manager
Time Travel Marts in Echo Park & Mar Vista -
Alma Carrillo
Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Communications
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Trevor Crown
Senior Manager of Volunteer Innovation and Assessment
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Ariadne Makridakis Arroyo
Senior Volunteer Coordinator
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Katie Feige
Institutional Giving Manager
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Maddie Silva
Manager of Special Initiatives
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Arisdeysi Cruz
Tutoring Program Coordinator
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Marco Beltran
Writers’ Room Program Coordinator
Manual Arts High School -
Wendy Beltran
Senior Writers’ Room Program Coordinator
Roosevelt High School -
Cole Montgomery
Development Coordinator
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Ariana Ponce Olivares
Senior Civic Engagement Coordinator
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Wilson Swain
Creative Engagement Specialist
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Julia Malinow
In-Schools and Tutoring Program Coordinator
Our Strategic Plan
This strategic plan is an overview of 826LA’s potential. Using our North Star—nurturing student voices through writing—the picture we’re painting through this strategic planning process is unapologetically optimistic and bold. We’ve sketched a roadmap responsive to the feedback we’ve received. Our priorities can be divided into two groups: Programmatic Reach and Financial Health. The two are mutually reinforcing and we’ve stitched them together with a third section on Strategic Communications.
Throughout the plan, we ask ourselves: What does our future look like if we’re wildly successful with Financial Health, Programmatic Reach, and Strategic Communications?
We invite you to read on and, more importantly, we invite you to join us as we move our mission forward.
Impact Report
826LA’s Impact Report highlights the power of creativity and community. Thanks to the support of volunteers, donors, and partners, we’ve been able to provide thousands of students across Los Angeles with free, high-quality writing programs that build skills, boost confidence, and nurture a love for storytelling. From publishing young authors to offering college essay support, our programs are helping students find their voice and write their future. Explore our latest Impact Report to see how your support is making a difference.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
826LA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in fulfilling its mission. We see this commitment as necessary to building and maintaining a safe, supportive environment in which great leaps of learning occur. We believe in inclusion in recruiting volunteers, staff, and members of its Board of Directors and in relationships with families, educators, schools, and, most importantly, students. 826LA will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, immigration status, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability.
Keep in Touch
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