826LA
826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.
Their services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. They provide drop-in tutoring, after-school workshops, in-schools tutoring, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.
All of their programs are challenging and enjoyable and ultimately strengthen each student’s power to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in his or her individual voice.
"I got involved with 826LA because I had seen the video of Dave Eggers talking about his vision for these writer-driven tutoring centers in his and then I was at the HUMANITAS Luncheon when when he became a HUMANITAS philanthropic partner.
With a location in Venice and Echo Park (not to mention plenty of in-school opportunities all over Los Angeles), 826LA makes it really easy and low-pressure for writers to give of themselves whenever time allows. One of my favorite days this year was the day I spent doing an in-school workshop through 826LA, refining students' personal statements for their college applications. It reminded me that writing does not come naturally to everyone, but storytelling, I think, does, and it was really rewarding to help these natural storytellers find their story, get it down on paper, and possibly get into college because of it."
Cindy Chupack
826LA Volunteer and HUMANITAS Trustee