Dear friends,
This past year has been one of the most challenging of our lifetimes. For the students we serve, the disproportionate and compounded impacts of the health crisis, economic crisis, and educational crisis laid bare by COVID-19 and systemic racism are devastating. When grappling with such huge issues alongside our communities, we have to ask ourselves: how do we show up in this moment and beyond?
Many of our programmatic pillars are even more critical right
Photo by William Mercer McLeod now. We’ve always developed programs that are tailored to the needs of our communities, yet we never imagined moving all our services to an online environment, or that this would entail helping families navigate enormous obstacles so their kids could simply access their education. I am so proud that within a few weeks of schools shutting down, we were able to pivot all our programs and help mitigate learning loss. Similarly, we’ve always believed in culturally responsive programming, and the pride students feel when they become published authors. As we chart our nation’s course toward a more just future, their voices are more important now than ever.
As an organization, we have also pushed ourselves to deepen our work around diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are taking action to make our internal organizational practices more equitable, make our commitment to anti-racist education more explicit, and ensure that more Black students are accessing our services. We commit to the continual reflection, learning, and growth that is necessary for us to live out our values even further.
Ultimately, we must show up even stronger, with greater resolve, as allies to our young people, their families, and their schools. We must listen to our youth, continue to adapt to meet their needs, and enlist support from all of you to provide free, individualized services that not only support them, but empower them. Thank you for joining us in this essential work.
In community,
2 ABOUT US ABOUT ABOUT US ABOUT 40 like-minded organizations writing around theworld. with theircreativewith skillsandto andexpositorywriting Due tothesuccessof826Valencia’s model,aseparate English Learners. Francisco, 826Valencia was founded in2002by educator Nínive Calegariandauthor Dave Eggers. 826Valencia now Named for the street address of our first center in San writing 2020, asSanFrancisco enactedashelter-in-placeorder and Mission Bay. We also have three satellite classrooms on programs. Allofourprograms are offered free ofcharge 826 Valencia isanonprofit organization dedicated to and serve predominantly low-income students ofcolorand at nearly adozen others around thecity. Inthespring of and ournewest centerinanaffordable housingbuildingin the UnitedStates, inspiring aglobalcommunity ofover the MissionDistrict, acenterintheTenderloin neighborhood, other cities launchother cities theirown andtutoring writing successful organization called826Nationalwas founded in2008 tohelp centers. We are now oneof nineofficial826chaptersin helping teachers inspire theirstudents towrite. students through remote versions ofourmost intensive schools transitioned toremote learning,sodidwe, serving comprises three centers—our writing namesake location in site at schools,andprovide partner in-schoolprogramming studentssupporting from under-resourced communities
Photo by Denise Kleckner Denise by Photo Photo by Kristin Cofer Kristin by Photo
ABOUT US
4 ABOUT US ABOUT inspiration authorship strengthening ourdemocracy to thenational contributing contributing imagination dialogue CREATIVITY world around us reflecting on experiences processing the FOSTERS news &media analyzing IS AGENCY AGENCY IS WRITING WRITING more inclusive world building abetter, WHY WRITING WRITING WHY THINKING MATTERS CRITICAL YOUTH
BUILDS mental health VOICE perspectives, tosucceedincollege andcareer, andtoshape In asocietythat systematically devalues thehistories their voices heard ismore importantthan ever. exacerbated by COVID-19, having accesstoindividualized our future. Thiswork toajust anddemocratic isessential empowers youth toexpress themselves, tovoice their support with writing andauthenticopportunities tomake writing support with society. Today, ourstudents with facingeducationalinequities and experiencesofyoung peopleofcolor,writing
experiences shared across differences FOR SUCCESS COMMUNITY ESSENTIAL EMPATHY & understanding IN SCHOOL CREATES math, science,socialstudies, &language arts marginalized amplifying
Common Core requirement voices
innovation academic achievement preparing for college opportunity accessing CRUCIAL communicating ideas IDEAS HERE CAREER TO ALL PATHS YOUR YOUR
“My voiceisimportantbecauseIhave Youth cangive voicetounderrepresented Nationwide, Nationwide, WHY WE’RE NEEDED viewpoints toultimately create a more in writing. I thinkthat youth voicesare particularly AGE 17 AGE HOLSMAN SAILA are proficient only 25%ofhigh fair society.” the world andothers’ perspectives... ideas andbeliefsthatideas Ithinkcanchange important becauseyouth offera determined by theoldergeneration. new perspective onissuespreviously school seniors OUR GOAL BIG 1
voice for positive impact. the writing skillsandpublishing the writing write at grade- By 2035, every under-resourced platforms they needto usetheir In California, student inSanFrancisco have will level proficiency. only halfofthird graders read and 2 Arts, compared white peers. 80%oftheir with and Progress and of Performance Student Assessment California 2018 2 Progress and of Performance Student Assessment California 2018 1 In SFUSD, Black, Latinx, and English Language English Learner less than30%of as proficient in students test
2
5 ABOUT US
6 OUR APPROACH OUR “Writing isamuch needed 90% CONFIDENCE TENDERLOIN CLUBHOUSE TENDERLOIN writing instruction from MICHAEL VUONG MICHAEL by 826. It’s abeautiful time.” their piecesare published have alsobuilt uptheir it’s great that ouryouth program, especiallywhen confidence through the care....Some ofouryouth people who authentically are abletoget quality DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR experience toseeover skill for allpeopleand BOYS & GIRLS CLUB CLUB &GIRLS BOYS Students, parents, andteachers surveyed reported that ourprograms ledto anincrease in:
92% SKILLS 2019–2020 BY THE NUMBERS BY THE 2019–2020 All oftheprograms inouruniqueandeffective model with teachers, organizations,with families,partner students, OUR APPROACH OUR learning opportunities that are tailored tomeetcommunity Individualized. Allofourprograms leverage thepower of and schools.Through thiscollaborative process, we create Responsive. We develop ourprograms incollaboration trained volunteers, who are ledby ourprofessional teaching the time andattentionthe time they needtothrive. needs and aligned with teachers’ with curriculargoals.needs andaligned do theirdifficultjobsmore effectively, and gives students share thefollowing traits, whetherin-person oronline. students make great leapsinlearning.Thishelpsteachers staff toprovide individualized tutoring andsupport,helping 85% PRIDE PRIDE
TO WRITING TO RELATIONSHIP TRANSFORMED 90%
3,292 Wonderful andwhimsical.Everything we doisdesigned Creature Outfitters Ltd.inMissionBay transportsvisitors for pirates. KingCarl’s EmporiumintheTenderloin offers Supply Store inourMissionCenterwe purvey, yes, supplies programs. publications, andall proceeds go rightbackintoour podcasts, andmore that we produce helpamplifyour authentic, tangible endproduct.authentic, tangible Andthebooks,magazines, to anenchantedforest. Ourstores alsosellourstudents’ tools for exploration ofreal andimaginary worlds. Woodland to inspire creativity andfoster imagination. To setthetone, Project-based. We publishourstudents’ andgive writing it anaudience. We seegreat increases instudents’ skills, each centerisfronted by awhimsicalstore. At thePirate confidence andpridewhentheirhard work results inan students’ voices totheworld. 6,786 HOURS PROGRAM SERVED STUDENTS
2:1 RATIO VOLUNTEER STUDENT:
924
29 “For me, thebest part VOLUNTEERS ACTIVE VOLUNTEER who isnot ateacher or NICOLE HARPER NICOLE they havetosay.” carethe child, about what help themexpress their it ismeaningfulfor the Itrulybelieveideas. that a few students withno of beingavolunteeris obligations oneitherthe otherwise responsible for spending anhourwith students ormeexcept to students tohaveanadult, PUBLICATIONS
7 OUR APPROACH PROGRAMS To learnabouthow our core programs have adapted to distance learning, distance learning, see thecenterfold.
At ourTenderloin Center, Workshops ourAfter-School Workshops. OurMissionCenteroffers evening and weekend After-School Tutoring. Duringtheschoolyear, ourtrained volunteers provide homework support with inallsubjectareas writing skills in a fun, inspiring environment. skillsinafun, writing workshops tofoster designed creativity andstrengthen writing we ourwriting alsopackinalotoflearning.Classesvisit Horace MannK-8,Everett MiddleSchool,andMissionHigh CORE PROGRAMS CORE Great SanFrancisco Personal Statement Weekend and for our youth leaders whoserve as mentors toouryounger for enrolled students ages 6to18.OurMissionCenteralso School. Inotherschoolpartnerships, we work directly in playful tothepractical, result inaprofessional endproduct. personal statement tutoring inschools.We offer stipends 826-ified spaces—called Writers’ Rooms—at BuenaVista and planways tocontributetheircommunity. as they tacklevarious projects, writing includingnewspapers, In-School Projects. We bringteamsofvolunteers intopublic and professionally-produced creativity, podcasts, infusing Field Trips. College andCareer Readiness. We offera range ofprograms their programming weekly with curriculumtobuildstudents’ andeverythingto comics, inbetween. Allworkshops, from the to college-bound seniors, the andone-on-onesupportvia into college, there. andbesuccessful We provide scholarships tohelpstudentsdesigned develop theirleadership skills,get research papers, oral histories, andmore. We have permanent, our summercampsandworkshops. hosts drop-in tutoring onSundays, opentoall.Inthesummer, students from andotherprograms after-school participate in classrooms. serve avariety ofneighborhood organizations andenrich skills inavariety ofareas, from playwriting topersonal essays collaboration, andtheartsintostudents’ regular schoolday. centers for amorningofhigh-energy performing, writing, and students, participate inworkshops toexplore careers, schools around thecity tosupportteachers andcoachstudents OurFieldTripsstorytelling. produce bound,illustrated books Fieldtripsto826are adventures, wild but Photo by Sendy Santamaria Sendy by Photo Photo by Denise Kleckner Denise by Photo
9 ABOUT US
PROGRAMS 11 Photo by Kristin Cofer
sido muy bueno y también bueno sido muy el único recurso que he que el único recurso ella.” para encontrado a Lili al programa ella a Lili al programa pusiera a que se ayudaron de Lili al día. La maestra iba 2 letras atrasada en atrasada iba 2 letras lo que es la lectura. Ahí le lo que es la lectura. Ahí ha visto como ha mejorado. como ha mejorado. ha visto MARIA FIGUERA FIGUERA MARIA TUTORINGAFTER-SCHOOL PARENT AND 826 ALUM students and an average and an average students challenging homework to challenging homework of 17 students per day. per day. of 17 students in the spring, After-School such as did writing projects get 1:1 help from a tutor, and a tutor, 1:1 help from get El programa de 826 ha El programa Students brought their most most their brought Students writing letters to essential writing letters workers. Tutoring served 51 unique served Tutoring When tutoring moved online moved When tutoring “Hace un año, cuando llevé cuando llevé año, “Hace un Photo by Mariel Feldman our goal of serving students of serving students our goal increased their confidence. increased more deeply with a deeply more reported that they learned they that reported things about writing, new to writing about kindness. and that the workshop the workshop and that 826 programs, advancing advancing 826 programs, for engagement. for Staff and volunteers led 33 volunteers Staff and journalism, to feminism, from 51% of workshop students students 51% of workshop were enrolled in multiple enrolled were on topics ranging on topics ranging workshops, students 96% of workshop variety of opportunities of opportunities variety students (in grades 1-3) (in grades students development. development. through targeted reading, reading, targeted through language, and writing language, 2019–2020 HIGHLIGHTS2019–2020 Rainbow Fish initiative, Fish initiative, Rainbow which supports younger which supports younger Tutoring launched the launched Tutoring This year After-School This year high school students who high school students of the short story to the craft to the craft of the short story of journalism. help and homework drop-in evening for middle and middle and for evening need a quiet place to work. need a quiet place to work. topics ranging from the art from topics ranging a daily writing prompt. writing prompt. a daily Evening On Sunday afternoons, our On Sunday workshops in all subjects. in all subjects. workshops for the ready at with tutors Tutoring continues into the Tutoring Weekends Writing Lab is open to all, Writing Workshops are offered on offered are Workshops Volunteers and staff lead and staff Volunteers students who get help with help who get students or Choose Your Own or Choose Your discuss what they’re reading reading they’re discuss what their homework, respond to respond their homework, and writing prompt, the day’s the author” page. the author” Morning bustles with enrolled withbustles enrolled book—written, illustrated, illustrated, book—written, hours and bound within two and complete with an “about from schools all over San schools all over from Storytelling and Bookmaking leave with their very own own with their very leave on weekends. This and more can be found through the portal the through be found can This and more on weekends. Store. Supply independent Pirate only of San Francisco’s 2nd-5th grade classes 2nd-5th grade dedicated and vibrant community of students and families for for and families of students community and vibrant dedicated tutoring every afternoon, and workshops in the evenings and in the evenings afternoon, and workshops every tutoring Francisco come to us for a come to us for Francisco learning. At the iconic Mission Center that gave us our name, us our gave Center that the iconic Mission learning. At with a tutor. with a tutor. MISSION CENTER we host elementary classes for field trips in the morning, a trips in the morning, field classes for elementary host we Afternoon After-School Tutoring After-School Tutoring Adventure Field Trip. They They Field Trip. Adventure This ship-like space transports students on a voyage of a voyage on students transports space This ship-like A DAY AT THE AT A DAY MISSION CENTER
PROGRAMS 10
12 SPOTLIGHT STUDENT SPOTLIGHTSTUDENT JASON NIEVES JASON Photo by Sendy Santamaria Sendy by Photo Valencia andnow I’m9years old.Ifelt Writers’ Wall because Iwas focusing aton I want tothankmysister Katrina, because In 2019,Igot picked togo ontheYoung I finishmyhomework andI get more A’s and I was 7years oldwhenIstarted at 826 I feel proud ofmyhard work. Sometimes when meandmymomdon’t understand a when Iget homework itcanbeeasy but projectswhen Idomywriting I’mgreat and because Ididn’t know anyone. Ifeel good less C’s andB’s. Iunderstand more math. practicing alotofreading over thesummer. pronounce any words, butnow I’ve been to spendthewholeday onhomework. the hard mytutors partswith anddon’t have homework. homework my shehelpsmewith question, AGE 9 AGE JASON NIEVES Did I Like Just You Can Get Better, of thisbecause two years ago Icouldn’t andmyreading.on mywriting I’mproud coming to826now because I’ve metevery sometimes itcanbehard,sometimes butnow Iwork on but nowstruggling tofinishmywriting, single tutor andIfeel grateful because I’m nervous whenIfirst started comingto826 not alone.Before comingto826,Iwas MISSION CENTER AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING TUTORING AFTER-SCHOOL CENTER |MISSION
I would read projects mywriting outloudto I think826really helpsmealotduring I thinkpeopleshouldknow that at 826, want helponmyhomework. Imissgoing to writing, isthatwriting, at first it’s kindofhard but who needextra reading helpwith and better, just like Idid. 826 programs inperson. Imisshaving our advice Iwould give tootherkidsmyage, and thestudents are really focused. Some parties whereparties we eat alotofgood food and practice and more practice, thenyou canget everyone. distance learning,especially whenIreally day, andifyou get more practice, more of easy. You have topractice every single once you get thehangofitit’s actually kind everybody isniceandeveryone isspecial
13 SPOTLIGHTABOUT US 14 A DAY AT THE TENDERLOIN TENDERLOIN CENTER
TENDERLOIN CENTER TENDERLOIN Through strong neighboringorganizations partnerships with write andrecord professional we helpstudents polish Classes come to our center Classes cometoourcenter final products are posted for afour-hour fieldtrip from allover thecity families andtheworld. We venture intotheshadeofanindoortreehouse towork with podcasts, learninghow to poetry, orcompleteother personal statements, write also host fieldtripsinwhich Morning read confidence.The itwith experience inwhichthey on SoundCloudsostudents craft anengagingstory and classroom projects. writing can share their them with Our Tenderloin Centerwelcomes students from the learn, and,asKingCarl(ourtraveling pufferfishmascot) Students arrive through aninteractive wall ofdoors and podcast recordings that we broadcast ontothestreet. and schools,students fillthespacenearly every day towrite, their voices—sometimes literally, through thestudent tutors onpoetry, personal narratives, shortstories, and more. neighborhood andbeyond toshare their stories andamplify says, “set forth andexplore!”
Afternoon Throughout theday writing process writing afun, with workshops. Students build Our tutors andstaff provide Neighborhood partner School. for after-school writing for writing after-school and Tenderloin Community at BessieCarmichaelK-8 the supportof826tutors. their skillsandexplore the in-school writing support in-school writing organizations bringtheir creative curriculumand students tothecenter 2019–2020 HIGHLIGHTS Our elementaryschool (teachers, family members, unique way. a community challenge ina about ahero that addresses and wrote superhero tales they belong.Students then reflected onthedifferent community members created odestoimportant towhich communities concept ofcommunity and students learnedaboutthe sports coaches,friends,etc.) York Times’ annualStudent Tiarri Washington was one visiting herfather inprison. visiting was shared through KIQI, Podcast Contest for “The Podcasting fieldtrip student Secret oftheFenced Castle,” Student podcasts shared powerful ideasonsocial a powerful reflection on the Alta Podcast, andKQED. discrimination, global discrimination, issues, includingracial of thewinners ofTheNew homelessness. Theirwork climate change, and After movingAfter programs with families,thedailywith Google Classroom. With from getting connected attendance rate for online tutoring was 95%. this responsive modeland to WiFinavigating their new andimmediate deepened communication learningneeds, digital on supporting students on supporting with online, we focused largely Photo by Denise Kleckner Denise by Photo
15 PROGRAMS
16 SPOTLIGHT ADAM BASBASSI STUDENT SPOTLIGHTSTUDENT Photo by Sendy Santamaria Sendy by Photo 10” hard, because we hadtowritealotof I felt really frustrated but aboutwriting, writing waywriting better thanbefore. Something was really hard backthen,like “9outof andexpressingwriting words. Writing when Icameto826felt like Iwas ina words, itfelt unreadable andplain,butnow Getting helpfrom 826staff hasmademy feel good by tellingme,“Keep onadding and personality tolike andI’mstarting it. understandable. 826taught memore words to putstronger words One inmywriting. that helpedmegrow ishow they taught me AGE 11 AGE ADAM BASBASSI Feel Really Powerful Awesome it feels more useful. different placethanschool.826isallabout so muchwork. 826madeiteasierandmore sentences andparagraphs, andwe hadtodo of the staff, Martin, helped me with oneof helpedme of thestaff, Martin, stronger words.” Before Iaddedstronger my stories calledNinjaKid.Hehelpedme TENDERLOIN CENTER WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS CENTER |TENDERLOIN Makes Me “Awesome!” tohissuperhero friends. “good.” Awesome makes me feel really Adam feels good aRoblox whenhewins What Iaccomplishedat 826istoinvest and you just plopdown random words be itwill Stronger words make will your writing game. “Awesome” isastronger word than brother sohecanuseitfor hisfuture. long time towrite.Forlong time example:Adam feels awesome aRoblox whenhewins game,vs. picture inthe skysaying Supermanflying powerful, like asuperhero. Ithelpsreaders that people read usemy Iwill mywriting. really hard toread take anditwill areally is importantbecause Iwant toteach my help teachmybrother how towrite.This stronger words to make future stories and more understandable andeasiertoread. If make stronger. mywriting I’mreally proud
17 SPOTLIGHTABOUT US
PROGRAMS 19 Photo by Alison Joseph SCHOOL 3RD GRADE STUDENT, BRET HARTE ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY HARTE BRET of care and love. I would I would and love. of care describe them as kind, helpful, and encouraging.” helpful, and encouraging.” AMIR SOHAN with 826 Valencia. with 826 Valencia. They treat me with lots with lots me treat They “It is very fun to work “It is very fun to work save the day. the day. save of whom were reluctant reluctant of whom were at writers or struggling in-school programs, many in-school programs, the beginning of the year, the beginning of the year, any shape or size that could any shape or size that biographies, odes, and biographies, knocking on about a wizard fiction,stories including wrote personal narratives, narratives, personal wrote your door and a catapult of door and a catapult your The third graders in our graders The third created incredible bonds incredible created third Timothy Puranen, says grade teacher. “They looked looked “They teacher. grade reported that they liked liked they that reported much enthusiasm that it’s it’s much enthusiasm that and 95% reported that they they that and 95% reported writers. became better amazing.” forward to every Thursday Thursday to every forward “Students have have Malcom X, “Students Bay After-School Tutoring After-School Tutoring Bay In our in-school prorgram at at In our in-school prorgram working with their tutors, with their tutors, working with our writing tutors,” writing with 826 with so 100% of students in Mission in Mission 100% of students 2019–2020 HIGHLIGHTS2019–2020 Photo by Celso Rojas students from our building from students days coming four students on social curriculum focused housing nearby, with many housing nearby, and write, all homework consistent support to third support to third consistent graders at Starr King at graders tutors. This year’s writing This year’s tutors. trained volunteers provide provide volunteers trained and other affordable family and other affordable help with their to get a week justice. Elementary, Bret Harte Harte Bret Elementary, and Malcolm X Elementary, Our education staff and staff Our education with the support of volunteer Throughout the day the day Throughout Afternoon Academy. Academy. serves After-school Tutoring
stories with their communities, and serves as a springboard withstories as a springboard their communities, and serves complex. This center is a space where students access students is a space where complex. This center comic strip. Fifth graders Fifthcomic strip. graders our unique model of individualized tutoring and share their and share tutoring individualized our unique model of enchanted forest to write enchanted forest and describe explore neighborhood, where our partners at the Tenderloin the Tenderloin at our partners where neighborhood, recipes for things other than things other for recipes mythical creatures. Morning the spring of 2019. Mission Bay is an intentionally diverse diverse is an intentionally Bay Mission of 2019. the spring based on grade level. level. based on grade anchor educational support in their new low-income housing housing low-income in their new support anchor educational knew you could get to an enchanted forest on the T Line? to an enchanted forest could get you knew for us to serve schools in the city’s Southeast Corridor. Who Corridor. Southeast schools in the city’s us to serve for food, such as How to be a to such as How food, first Mission Bay Field Trips, Field Mission Bay first Good Friend or Recipe for for or Recipe Good Friend A DAY AT THE CENTER MISSION AT BAY A DAY Neighborhood Development Corporation invited us to be the Corporation Development Neighborhood Kindness. Fourth graders graders Kindness. Fourth Our newest location for writing, tutoring, wonder, and wonder, writing, tutoring, location for Our newest with different curriculum with different whimsy, the 826 Valencia Mission Bay center opened in center opened Mission Bay Valencia the 826 whimsy, write and illustrate their own their own write and illustrate This year we launched our launched we This year come to the graders Third MISSION BAY CENTER MISSION BAY
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20 SPOTLIGHT BLANCA ESTRADA STUDENT SPOTLIGHTSTUDENT Photo by Sendy Santamaria Sendy by Photo videos. My experiences in those videos were Myexperiencesinthosevideos videos. writing, talkonstages,writing, andmake At videos. otherpeopleandmakewith friends.Also,I myhomework,with andIget tosocialize I like thisprogram because ithelpsme I hadn’t beenbefore and meet alotofnew My experiencesat 826were awesome Some experiencesIhave hadwere beingin 826 Valencia Ihave grown alotandIhave people. awesome because Igot alotofplaces tovisit theWarriors, with a video beingpublished because Igot toperform infront mywriting in two books in2019, andIwas alsointwo of alotpeople,andIalsogot published. had exciting experiences. had exciting getsometimes tobe published,doalotof AGE 10 AGE BLANCA ESTADA Place! Every Explore and Do Everything, MISSION BAY CENTER AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING TUTORING BAY AFTER-SCHOOL |MISSION CENTER Valencia because itmakes mefeel happy writing, Iwritealotandit’swriting, soeasy towrite I canread higherlevel books.SinceIlove I’m proud ofmyschoolscores, because now I amproud ofmyselfbecause I’ve been Mexican Independence Day celebration, and from MexicoIwould like todanceinevery feel confident aboutwhat I want todoin published andmymomthinksI’mfamous. 826 Valencia helpedmebemore confident, place! and excitedtodoalotofthings—towrite, an essaytime. Ilove andfinishit on 826 be famousanddoalotofbusiness jobs.I and helpedmesolve thehard assignments to read, todo everything, andexplore every the future. Andsincemymomanddadare that they gave inschool.Afuture planI eat pozolewhichismy favorite Mexicanfood. have istobeavet, butIwould alsolike to
21 SPOTLIGHTABOUT US I am thankful for water, soap, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer because they keep us safe. I am also thankful for 826 Valencia. ASIYA ARMSTRONG, AGE 8
This spring we all adapted to the unprecedented challenge of remote learning while sheltered-in-place. Read on for our students’ perspectives on life during a pandemic, and the story of how we quickly and responsively pivoted our programs online. ANA LUISA ALFARO AGE 13 THEY ARE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW
AN EXCERPT HAISSEM JONES I TIPTOED ACROSS Soon online classes began. Frankly, I think the opposite “The 1:1 attention is a critical LETTER AGE 10 the room to get my laptop, Towards the end of the day I has happened. Self-isolation piece…especially because the STUDENT trying not to wake up my family. felt dread. I started missing is like a plant without water interaction and relationships TO MY PERSPECTIVES I opened my silver laptop my classmates and friends one or sunlight. My peers are also that we know are critical to ON COVID-19 FUTURE SELF on my tired lap. And began by one as I thought of each of feeling this way. teaching and learning are checking my full inbox, scrolling them. I miss the sound of their dramatically reduced in this [...] through millions of emails. In laughter and hearing their time of school closure.” This spring, many of the I HOPE THAT the quarantine wait to see more people out bolded, black, font. One read, ridiculous jokes without glitches I believe many people aren’t writing prompts in our programs is over by 2021. I hope to be because it looks like a zombie ENIKIA FORD MORTHEL “Temporary School Closure.” a on the other line. I miss playing aware of how this pandemic is DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT SFUSD centered around how students able to do PE again and to have apocalypse right now. I am & 826 VALENCIA BOARD MEMBER smile came across my face from basketball with my peers and affecting young people. Parents were experiencing shelter-in-place. people stop dying from this thankful to be healthy, to have excitement. Which 13 year old being able to laugh when they and guardians, I suggest that virus. I have learned that I do my family around to support wouldn’t want school to close? trip. you keep your young people not like bugs because I have me, and to be able to comfort No school meant no getting up occupied because their minds been attacked by bugs at home. each other. Once shelter in Self-isolation went from early for the day and no seeing are developing and they feel I also learned I really enjoy place is over, I will go to school desolate days to wretched my bothersome classmates. down sometimes. Their minds biking, and I hope one day to so I can see my friends in weeks. These two weeks have The next day, the principal are lacking the freedom to “826 continued to plan and bike without a mask and gloves person again. been the slowest I’ve ever informed us that we were taking do the activities they used to meet with me and my students in a tropical place. I can’t perceived time. Self-isolation mandatory online classes. I do. Young people need to be very shortly after schools turned into boredom. Gradually thought to myself, “As long as engaged with activities that closed. They created engaging it turned into frustration, I don’t have to go to physical help them learn and gain new ideas for writing, tutored unhappiness, and anger. I school I’m fine.” skills. After all, they are the students in small groups, don’t feel that I’m prospering. leaders of tomorrow. and commented on student WHEN THE COVID-19 CRISIS HIT, we knew that the TIMELINE work. The load was enormous students and families we serve were facing three crises that QUICK AND RESPONSIVE switching to online learning compounded one another: health, the economy, and education. and it was a huge help to have Not only are the families we serve disproportionately impacted MAR 12 APR 1 APR 6 by the virus itself and job loss, but many of our students ONLINE engaging writing lessons to Schools closed for 2 weeks; Schools announced they would Launched online after-school experienced six months of learning loss due to a vast digital PROGRAMS supplement. Students were 826 closed and began wellness be closed for the remainder of tutoring sessions to help divide and inaccessible online learning. This “third crisis” is BY THE motivated to attend class calls to 250 families. the school year. 826 continued students access their school leading to an ever-widening opportunity gap for students of NUMBERS meetings because of their wellness calls and offered curriculum. color who live in low income communities. relationships with their tutors. technology access support MAR 23 APR 13 We usually had the best 826 Valencia quickly pivoted all aspects of our programming, Began offering teen writing to families. attendance on 826 days!” Launched online writing as our staff got to work (from home) reaching out to support and leadership workshops workshops in partnership : DENISE KLECKNER students, families, and teachers, and developing new ways of online. 416 794 112 456 1.3 1 with classroom teachers. 3RD GRADE TEACHER students served students had access volunteers hours of online average student BRET HARTE delivering our unique and impactful model to the students who ELEMENTARY SCHOOL needed it most. in intensive to 826 services programs to tutor ratio 826 programs
PROGRAMS 25
of the most important of the most deep connection...it’s one deep connection...it’s put it down. I cry a little. it down. a little. I cry put my I’ve ever—in projects it wherever I go! go! I it wherever it last night. I feel the I feel it last night. NIKKY FINNEY NIKKY NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER AND FOREWORD WRITER FOR THE 2020 YOUNG AUTHORS’ BOOK PROJECT I can’t wait to talk about I can’t wait to talk about I laugh. I fell asleep with I fell I laugh. whole life—been a part of. a part of. life—been whole yesterday and I can’t and yesterday Without Fear!” Fear!” Without The Freedom to Live to Live The Freedom “The book arrived “The book arrived another man erased.another Sixteen shots in the darkness . . . in the darkness shots Sixteen Sandra Bland . . . Fred Hampton. Bland . . . Fred Sandra it’s important to say their names.” important to say their names.” it’s Oscar Grant . . . Mike Brown . . . Brown . . . Mike Oscar Grant Are we really free? we really Are We pledge allegiance to the red, white and blue, and blue, allegiance to the red, white pledge We This country represents freedom, but to whom? to whom? freedom, but This country represents “Say their names . . . and the home of the brave” “The land of the free
BY WAS OUR GREAT NEVER AN EXCERPT THEBOOK PROJECT AUTHOR’S 2020 YOUNG classes at Mission High School. Students started by reading reading by started Students Mission High School. classes at the Black Face Boy.” Boy.” the Black Face to editing, the young authors wrote essays, poems, fiction, poems, essays, wrote authors to editing, the young free?” feel you makes truth, what and discussing Nikky Finney’s poem, “The Battle of and for of and for “The Battle poem, Finney’s and discussing Nikky us all. and inspire of her work, more about writing, share and their tutors, families, and school community. We couldn’t couldn’t We families, and school community. and their tutors, important and this timely, authors of the young be prouder published in May with a virtual release party for the students the students for party with release a virtual published in May project. letters, and more in response to the prompt, “What is your is your “What to the prompt, in response more and letters, Finney visited the classes to kick off the project and talk visited to kick off the project the classes Finney Our Young Authors’ Book Project is an annual publication is an annual publication Project Book Authors’ Our Young written by a different group of high school students each year. year. each students of high school group a different by written worked one-one-one with the students from brainstorming brainstorming from one-one-one with the students worked The 2020 YABP was a partnership with two Ethnic Studies Ethnic Studies with a partnership two was YABP The 2020 Then, with the support of a consistent group of tutors who who of tutors Then, with group the support of a consistent , which was , which was Fear to Live Without The Freedom was The result AMERICA WAT K I N S LAJAIYAH LAJAIYAH students learn to research learn to research students college application essays, application essays, college monologues, and more. monologues, more. and Mission High School and write pieces for Mission and write pieces for and publish chapbooks, In this Writers’ Room, Room, In this Writers’ , get help with , get Magazine
, pen poetry chapbooks, IN-SCHOOLS PROGRAMMING haikus, with the support of our tutors. our tutors. Everett Middle School Everett and learn to write across and learn to write across from of genres, a variety to essays argumentative Straight Up the Straight produce spaces in three local schools—serve students in small groups in small groups students local schools—serve spaces in three ratio becomes that tutors, volunteer our trained and staff Room, 6th-8th grade students students 6th-8th grade Room, high as 35:1. With the support of 826 Valencia education education support of 826 Valencia high as 35:1. With the effect on the school day; the average teacher-to-student teacher-to-student average the day; effect on the school in classrooms. To do this, we bring our education staff staff education bring our this, we do To in classrooms. ratio in SFUSD is 22:1; and in some schools the ratio is as schools the ratio in SFUSD is 22:1; and in some ratio Here in our first Writers’ Writers’ in our first Here tutoring. to support teachers by providing individualized attention attention individualized providing by teachers to support and trained volunteer tutors into schools throughout San throughout into schools tutors volunteer and trained provide targeted instruction. This has a transformative instruction. This has a transformative targeted provide for greater individualized attention, allowing teachers to teachers allowing individualized attention, greater for 2:1. When SFUSD moved to distance learning in the spring, to distance 2:1. When SFUSD moved News From the start, one of 826 Valencia’s primary goals was was goals primary of 826 Valencia’s one start, the From Francisco. Our Writers’ Rooms—special 826-designed Rooms—special Writers’ Our Francisco. we provided support with new learning tools and writing support with new provided we
THE 826 WRITERS’ ROOMS school day with intensive with intensive school day houses our after-school grade classes during the grade individualized attention as individualized attention need extra support receive receive support need extra they build their writing skills.they Buena Vista Buena Vista Mann K-8 Horace EVERETT MIDDLE SCHOOL reluctant writers, they had they writers, reluctant a definite place to start. a definite place to add details, and where to and where add details, my For research. do more levels, and the tutors and the tutors levels, how to organize their work, their work, to organize how they were given ideas on given were they SHARON RODRIGUES It was a whole spectrum.” It was a whole were able to help them at to help them at able were were... they level whatever writing projects. writing projects. writing program at BVHM, BVHM, at writing program who graders 3rd-5th where TEACHER We also support 6th-8th We A transformed locker room room locker A transformed “I have students at all at “I have students
PROGRAMS 24
SPOTLIGHT 27 Photo by Sendy Santamaria STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ORIANA LOPEZ ORIANA
my feelings and thoughts. I feel that all the that and thoughts. I feel my feelings support I had during my transition from one from support I had during my transition something I enjoyed. something I enjoyed. confidence that I needed to overcome my overcome I needed to confidence that developing. The story I chose to publish The story developing. emotions, was and sharing it with others to express expect writing to be my way could express myself through poetry. myself through could express contest of my class with my poem called “A of my class withcontest my poem called “A had foundations in some of my strangest in some of my strangest had foundations performance with them. I won the poetry with them. I won performance about myself through the stories I was I was the stories about myself through 826 Valencia. Writing during the workshop during the workshop Writing 826 Valencia. fears and understand that there are more more are there that and understand fears language to another helped me build the language For me, writing is an escape gate. I didn’t I didn’t me, writing is an escape gate. For Place Called Home.” After that, I felt that I that I felt After that, Place Called Home.” was the one I felt the proudest of. The story of. The story proudest the the one I felt was was amazing because I could discover more more I could discover amazing because was ways to raise my voice than just speaking. than just my voice to raise ways I joined the Young Authors’ Workshop at at Workshop Authors’ the Young I joined
| SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
support was great.The feedback of the feedback great.The support was on my writing skills in Spanish because I felt I felt on my writing skills in Spanish because When language. with my first comfortable everything I wanted to say was in my head was to say I wanted everything idea of expressing my thoughts in another idea of expressing the need to improve my writing in English the need to improve to free all my ideas and emotions. all my ideas and After a to free thoughts through spoken words. I felt that that I felt words. spoken thoughts through and I could feel comfortable practicing my practicing comfortable and I could feel project which helped me express more more which helped me express project about myself through my writing. I received my writing. I received about myself through at high school. at always faced some problems expressing my expressing faced some problems always language was overwhelming. But I had overwhelming. was language key to finally being myself. I started working working started being myself. I to finally key because I wanted to succeed in my classes I wanted because but I couldn’t emit a word, and I struggled and I struggled emit a word, but I couldn’t guidance from my English teacher and guidance from Last year at school, I worked on a poetry I worked school, at year Last while, I realized that writing be the could that while, I realized ORIANA LOPEZ LOPEZ ORIANA AGE 19 I started learning English at age 14, the age learning English at I started volunteers helped me to build a better poem, helped me to build a better volunteers volunteers from 826 Valencia. Having their Having 826 Valencia. from volunteers Writing has always been a part of me. I have been a part of me. I have has always Writing
an Escape Gate an Escape Writing is Writing
SPOTLIGHTABOUT US 26 HIGHLIGHTS
100% of students 83% of Exploring in the Young Authors’ Leadership students said Workshop said, “This they learned new things workshop increased my about writing, leadership, confidence about writing.’’ and public speaking.
On the last day of Exploring Words, one of our students, Bryan, received the award for having a “Big, Beautiful, Brain!” His response: “I can’t wait to include this in my application to UC Berkeley!” Photo by Denise Kleckner
SUMMER 2019 AT School might let out for the summer, but the learning doesn’t leadership, communication, and collaboration through project- 826 VALENCIA stop at 826 Valencia. We offer a variety of programs to based activities, written reflections, and the development of a reduce summer learning loss and keep students writing and research-based social issue presentation. thinking creatively. Here is all the great work that happened The Young Authors’ Workshop. Each year, we offer an in the summer of 2019 (which might feel like ages ago, but intensive writing camp for high school students called the served as our strong and fun start to FY20!) Young Authors’ Workshop. Participants spent three weeks Exploring Words. 826 Valencia’s ninth annual Exploring writing together, led by guest speakers including poets, Words Summer Camp was a three week program for 107 journalists, oral historians, and artists. In 2019, we added a third through fifth-graders, many who participate in our resident teaching artist who supported students for a week after-school tutoring and writing programs during the school of the program. Students grew their confidence and skills year. Students participated in three weeks of 826 Valencia’s through peer editing and became a strong community of science and creative writing curriculum, as part of a full day writers. of programming in partnership with Jamestown Community Tenderloin Summer Programs. We hosted summer Center and Pathways to Education. workshops at our Tenderloin Center, serving over 350 Exploring Leadership. This camp focused on developing students from 11 partner organizations, including GLIDE middle school students as youth leaders. Students learned about Youth, Family, and Childcare Center, Up On Top, and the college and career pathways and opportunities through field Boys & Girls Club Tenderloin Clubhouse. trips to Twitter’s NeighborNest Projector, and the American Conservatory Theater. Participants developed skills in
MARRIANAH MEADORS MEADORS MARRIANAH me to attend college. She is a very She is a very college. me to attend there’s always a way forward. I’m forward. a way always there’s passionate about achieving my about achieving passionate University State San Francisco hard worker and a very good mother. mother. good a very and worker hard brothers, my sister and I have a better a better and I have my sister brothers, dreams to go to college and become to college go to dreams do come true. dreams big that others City Arts and Lectures Scholarship Scholarship City Arts and Lectures CSU - Long Beach and to college color to see me go She has fought to make my two older my two to make She has fought life here in the United States. United States. in the here life My mother is a person that influences that My mother is a person know that, as a African American that, know an astronaut so that I can encourage I can encourage so that an astronaut woman with financial hardships, with financial hardships, woman I want my siblings and other youth of siblings and other youth my I want Tom Savignano Scholarship Savignano Tom WALTER GARCIA GARCIA WALTER
UCLA |
MEET OUR 2020 MARIE FUMAR MARIE FUMAR MANSA KUANG MANSA KUANG it to others because I know my style my style I know because it to others impact people and communities. society and how that has limited the that and how society producing in my own way—all of way—all in my own producing Scholarship in honor of Scholarship Goldstein Sydney Sydney Goldstein Memorial Goldstein Sydney University | Wesleyan Scholarship family. immigrant a low-income, from but also the challenges I face coming but also the challenges conversation about the unfair conversation withindistribution our of privileges to thrive. others opportunities for not only through I go on the challenges as a person of color and as a woman, of color and as a woman, as a person and I know what I am capable of what and I know which I learned to appreciate during a which I learned to appreciate with 826. I used to always workshop and I still do. to be a journalist, want that events write about significant I write to enter a difficult and honest I write to enter a difficult and honest Now, I write again, without I write again, comparing Now, Through my life experiences, I wish experiences, to my life Through ASHLEY KEZIA KEZIA ASHLEY Art Berliner and Marian Lever Lever Art Berliner and Marian Writing has allowed me to self-reflect me to self-reflect has allowed Writing
Scholarship Winners have longed for since I was 6... As a 6... As since I was for longed have better myself by pursuing a further pursuing myself by better City Arts and Lectures Scholarship Scholarship City Arts and Lectures to made it a priority I have color, education. University York New first generation, Latina woman of Latina generation, first JESSICA BERRIOS BERRIOS JESSICA BETZABE HERRERABETZABE if it wasn’t for the confidence I have the confidence I have for if it wasn’t now, I wouldn’t see myself in that role. role. see myself in that I wouldn’t now, a paper and a my emotions through teacher. I don’t know what kind of what know I don’t teacher. that teacher I will become. But I know pencil. | UC Merced Scholarship A college degree is a privilege that I that is a privilege degree A college of my life. I will continue to express I will continueof my life. to express In the future I hope to become a In the future me all writing will that follow I know Taylor Renfrew Ingham Memorial Ingham Renfrew Taylor our younger students students our younger tutored in our tutored mentors responses to the Personal to the Personal responses application. application. and building their own as they wrote and edited and edited wrote as they programs, supporting programs, for two hours or more or more hours two for skills. leadership 55 interns and youth 55 interns and youth Insight Questions for the Insight Questions for University of California of California University 150 students with 1:1 support 150 students The 2019 Personal Statement Statement Personal The 2019 served more than more served Weekend students on their path to college and whatever career they they career whatever and college to path on their students support with development, offering leadership success by stipends and scholarships. choose. Our College and Career Readiness programs provide provide programs Readiness and Career College choose. Our through with 826 Valencia involvement ongoing for channels of programs aims to increase our students’ post-secondary post-secondary our students’ aims to increase of programs middle school, high school, and beyond, and train students students train and beyond, high school, and middle school, to serve as tutors for their younger peers. This constellation This constellation peers. younger their for as tutors to serve 826 Valencia offers a variety of programs that support our our support that of programs variety a offers 826 Valencia creating their own their own creating These groups served served These groups center. exciting leadership roles, roles, exciting leadership one based out of each national anthology of youth national anthology of youth including contributing design ideas to the cover as tutors and mentors for for and mentors as tutors publications, and more. publications, writing across the disciplines, and financial aid in the form of and financial aid in the the disciplines, writing across programs, and took on programs, Storytellers’ Showcase, Showcase, Storytellers’ (a new (a new in Revolt! Poets for from one Youth Leadership Leadership one Youth from 2019–2020 HIGHLIGHTS2019–2020 younger students in our students younger voices), hosting the annual voices), This year, we expanded we This year, Advisory Board to three, to three, Board Advisory COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS CAREER need it.” need it.” about my thoughts. I’m a my thoughts. about all my opportunities when all my opportunities when leader in my community leader in my community leadership role I’ll take in I’ll take leadership role to speak up. That’s a That’s to speak up. by helping out those who those who helping out by ITZIEL MACIAS MACIAS ITZIEL YLAB TENDERLOIN AGE 16 I’m encouraged to speak I’m encouraged “I learned to not be afraid be afraid “I learned to not
PROGRAMS 30 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Writing Gave
Me Time to Reflect JOELLE CHIEN AGE 17 | MISSION BAY YOUTH LEADER
I first got involved with 826 through the Through 826, I also had the opportunity Young Authors’ Workshop in the summer to have that piece published in the June/ after my sophomore year. Last year, I July issue of The Commonwealth, the news applied to be a part of the Youth Leader magazine of The Commonwealth Club Advisory Board at 826 and have tutored, of California. I’m proud to have had my helped coordinate events, and developed writing chosen for publication in a news my writing through this program. magazine with such a wide circulation and to have my voice, as a writer and Asian In early March, just as everything was American teen, amplified in this way. And shutting down, I had the opportunity to I know it would not have been possible write a piece on rampant anti-Asian racism without the dedication of 826 to its student for the 826 YLAB chapter book. It was SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT writers and all the 826 staff who helped me based in my personal experiences, also refine and shape my experiences into my weaving in those of my friends, and using story. a longform news article I was editing for
my school’s student-run publication as a Now, just starting my senior year, I hope SPOTLIGHT jumping off point. Writing it gave me time to use the various skills I’ve learned at 826
32 to reflect on my own identity as an Asian and all the opportunities I’ve had here to 33 American and having it published in the help me continue to grow at school, lead as chapter book brought those experiences the Editor-in-Chief of my school’s student- to the eyes of the world, giving everyone run publication, and shape my college JOELLE CHIEN referenced in it a voice. essay self-reflection. 9
k
AGE ., han and invent robots. robots. and invent GABRIEL me write well,me write brainstorm, brainstorm, I learned from I learned from for helping helping for well. I appreciate well. I appreciate you to spell you help. your T you
you 16
k AGE , han a hobby. Thank you for cooling the cooling for Thank you a hobby. DOMINIC made me rethink writing and now it’s it’s now writing and rethink made me and I presented me before nerves for thank you for the authentic feedback. the authentic for thank you for really helping me become a better a better me become helping really for writer...you and all the staff and class the staff and all writer...you T
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han drafting and drafting the best! are LUANA, 9 AGE laugh, helping laugh, making me me with my You revising. brainstorming, brainstorming, for giving me giving for your friendship, friendship, your T you individualized attention. Volunteers, it’s thanks to you that that you thanks to it’s Volunteers, attention. individualized this year we were able to support so many students, to keep to keep many students, able to support so were we this year and closed, and publish when schools support steady that this year! wrote they amplify their voices for the world to hear. Our students say it say Our students to hear. world the for voices amplify their notes thank you many heartfelt of the a few just are here best; Volunteers fuel our organization by providing much-needed much-needed providing by fuelorganization our Volunteers
you k
OUR VOLUNTEERS OUR han GABBY, AGE 9 AGE GABBY, I wish you would come everyday, not just just not would come everyday, I wish you I like that you are very fun to be around. are you that I like I appreciate your help with writing. help with writing. your I appreciate for helping me become a better writer. writer. a better helping me become for
Wednesday. T
VOLUNTEERS 34 FINANCIAL This has been an unprecedented year in fundraising. Despite WHY WE NEED YOU OVERVIEW the challenges presented by the pandemic and resulting economic downturn, we were still able to end this year in the black. We canceled our major fundraising event, the Bookeaters’ Bash—but the majority of ticket holders and sponsors generously transitioned their support to outright gifts. Unsure what the future held, we reduced expenses without laying off any staff and asked funders for increased support. They answered the call and not only stood by us, but made new, additional or increased gifts, lifted gift 826 ValENCIA s free restrictions, and further underscored their commitment to our ’ work. This partnership is essential to our continued viability and mission to serve our students. writing programs
This is a time of economic uncertainty, widening educational INCOME gaps, and deep reckoning with racial injustice in our society. are essential Providing our unique support to students of color from under- , resourced communities is truly more essential than ever. especially now We are committed. We need you, our community, to help us remain on strong financial footing so together we can meet . students’ needs in the face of this crisis and beyond. Our children are
56% ORGANIZATIONS 2019-2020 OPERATING BUDGET 36% INDIVIDUALS not our future 4% SPECIAL EVENTS Income , 4% OTHER Contributions from organizations $2,805,149 they are our Contributions from individuals $1,832,433 EXPENSES Special events (net) $197,008 present Other (includes stores) $219,420 .
FINANCIALS Total income (accrual) $5,054,429 MARI AMOROSINO 826 VALENCIA SUPPORTER Expenses 78% PROGRAMMING Programming $3,106,637 10% FUNDRAISING Fundraising $403,031 9% ADMINISTRATIVE 36
3% STORES Administrative $371,566 37 Retail Stores $121,117
Total expenses $4,002,351
OUR DONORS FUN FACTS ABOUT FUNDRAISING
The donors who support our work at 826 Valencia are a special group. From the steadfast support of annual and monthly gifts of all sizes, to corporate and foundation partners, to remarkably generous individuals who make , inspiring major gifts—our donor community makes this work 1 509 DONORS possible. We are so thankful for every one of you. Usually, Including government, corporations, and foundations in this space you would find a many-page list of names, each one representing a donor we appreciate beyond words. This year, we have decided to offer a glimpse at who our donors are and why they give. For the list of donors’ names, see our website. individual donors To our donor community: thank you! 1,436 We couldn’t serve our students or weather this challenging time without you. We received an average of 6 gifts a day GIFTS OF ALL SIZES
Donations came from states and countries 826 Valencia is grateful to receive contributions of 42 9 all sizes from a broad array of organizations and individuals. While gifts of $50K and up make up a bit more than half of our annual revenue, the vast majority of our contributions are $100 or less. We are proud to bring such a diverse $25K+ of our donors were also 826 volunteers group of donors, all with different experiences 301 $10K–24K and capacities, together in community and support of our work.* $1K–9K SUPPORTERS $101–999
WINNERS OF A CONTEST THEY DIDN’T KNOW THEY ENTERED SUPPORTERS
$1–100
38 FIRST LAST LONGEST
DONATION OF FY20 DONATION OF FY20 RUNNING 39 FENDY SOEGIONO KENZIE KILB MONTHLY DONOR JACOB FARKAS (12 YEARS!)
* includes institutional and government support WHY As a writer and Because this To keep 826 a resident of the community strong during OUR Mission (and matters. these trying a native San SCOTT RUBIN times!
Franciscan), MICHAEL GAVINO how could DONORS We need the I NOT donate arts more than to 826 Valencia? I wanted ever, to lift to establish GIVE GREGORY SCHRAM people’s spirits. a monthly And stories are donation which 826 has been what connect I know can I believe I believe in the We know that a constant us. I want to help in regards in making power of writing 826 Valencia source of hope, support the next to forecasting education and giving voice programs are inspiration, generation of budgets equally to the amazing among the best support, storytellers. and funds. young people to help the youth accessible and wonder. HAGAR SCHER KRISTEN HEWITT to all children. in this city! of San Francisco ALYSSA ANINAG
DOROTHY MARSCHALL ANNE SHULOCK find and use IN MEMORY OF ROBERT WORTHINGTON their voices. SPEARMAN BILL RUSITZKY
42 ABOUT US ABOUT Thank you tothemanydonors whomake through theirgifts DonorAdvised Funds managed by the INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SUPPORT INSTITUTIONAL Crankstart City Arts&Lectures Cisco Foundation Chambers &Chambers Cartoon Network The CarlGellert&CeliaBerta The CampbellFoundation California State Library, California Arts Council, Caerus Foundation, Inc. The Brandeis School BlackRock Gives Bill Graham Supporting The Bernard OsherFoundation Bella Vista Foundation Company BCCI Construction The AzusFoundation AvalonBay Inc. Communities, Amazon Literary Partnership Alta Magazine Alexander M.&June L.Maisin 826 National Anonymous Gift Fund,Gift Bessemer Trust Company, California Community Foundation, Fidelity Charitable,Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund, Horizons Foundation, Jewish CommunalFund, Jewish Community Federation following sponsoring organizations: AmericanEndowment Foundation, BankofAmericaCharitable Wine Merchants Gellert Foundation Program California Student Author a State Agency of SanFrancisco and Endowment Fund Community Federation Foundation oftheJewish and Endowment Fund Community Federation foundation oftheJewish Foundation, asupporting Novela The NormanRaab Foundation Miranda LuxFoundation Maverick Capital Foundation Mary A.Crocker Trust Loud HoundFoundation LightStep, Inc. Lesbians for Good Lampert Byrd Foundation Koret Foundation The KimballFoundation Kelson Foundation The Joseph andMercedes Jamestown Community Center International Paper Horace W. Goldsmith Hellman Foundation The Hearst Foundations The Hawkins Project Giants Community Fund The Futures Project FThree Foundation The ShensonFoundation, Fred GellertFamily Foundation Foreign Cinema Fleishhacker Foundation Dropbox Dow Jones Foundation Dolby Laboratories Cresco EquipmentRentals Crescent Porter Hale Foundation McMicking Foundation Foundation Ben andA.Jess Shenson in memoryof ZS Associates Yelp Foundation W.L.S. SpencerFoundation Wells Fargo Warriors Community The Walther Foundation Walter andEliseHaasFund Walnut Fund Ubisoft U.S. BankFoundation Twitter Tenderloin Neighborhood Stuart Foundation The Stocker Foundation Someland Foundation Silicon Valley Community Silicon Valley Bank Severns Family Foundation Sergey BrinFamily Foundation Scandling Family Foundation San Francisco Giants San Francisco Officeof San Francisco Department Sam MazzaFoundation Remick Family Foundation FundThe Question Panta RheaFund Foundation Descendant Grant Development Corporation Foundation Development Economic andWorkforce and theirFamilies of Children, Youth, *Monthly Donor Yareli Arreola Vivian Sming Virdell Hickman PerkinsStina Shelby Urbina Sendy Santamaria Sarah Bruhns Ryan Young Ricardo Cruz-Chong Precediha Dangerfield Nicole C.Brown Nick Parker Nesley Rojo Nana Boateng Montana Manalo Molly Parent Melissa Anguiano Lucie Pereira Lila Cutter Leah Tarlen Kavitha Lotun Karla Brundage Kai Stewart Ginnie Redmond Diana Garcia Devin Angel Daniel Mata VillasenorPerryChristina Caroline Woods-Mejia Byron Weiss Brad Amorosino Benita Tsao Ashley Smith Allyson Halpern Bita Nazarian, STAFF Valley Community Foundation, TDAmeritrade, Trust, USCharitableGift UBS, andVanguard Charitable Global ImpactFunding Trust, Inc.,SanFrancisco Foundation, Schwab Charitable Fund, Silicon Endowment Program. and Endowment Fund, JPMorgan ChaseFoundation, MarinCommunity Foundation, Morgan Stanley Executive Director Kendra Lappin Madeline Schroeder Cléo Charpantier Diego Hernandez Emilia Rivera Rajitmeet Singh Michelle Espinoza Josh Chan Olivia Cunningham Juan Avila Arel Wiederholt Kassar Alaina Arroyo 2020–2021 AMERICORPS MEMBERS Giorgia Sage Luis Sepulveda Jonathan Kendall Brandon Pipersky Andrea Kasprzak STAFF STORE Rajiv Rao Taylor Norman Talia Moyal Shannon Colin Owen Somerfeld Michelle Favin Matt Carney Linda Lu Kevin Chen Jess Blackshaw Faryl Ury Ana Medrano Fernandez Andrea Vallone Ali Vivinetto BOARD ASSOCIATE Rachel Swain Yeaman Osvaldo Marquez Liza Ramrayka Lisa Brown Julia Matsudaira Joya Banerjee Joe Vasquez Jim Lesser Jasmine Berjikly Eric Abrams Enikia Ford Morthel Dave Pell Colleen QuinnAmster Carolyn Feinstein Edwards Anna Luna Ambar Bhattacharyya Alex Lerner BOARD
43 ABOUT US VISIT US As of this writing, our stores and spaces are mostly closed to the public for safety during COVID-19. Check our website for the most up-to-date information (including limited Pirate Store open hours, when the seas allow) and shop or donate online to support our programs. We hope to see you in person someday soon!
826VALENCIA.ORG
PIRATE SUPPLY STORE 826 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110
KING CARL’S EMPORIUM 180 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102
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Photo by Denise Kleckner