The Next Frontier 826 National's Growth Initiative

Home , 826LA, 826 National, 826 Valencia, Bad Robot Productions

1 826 CHAPTERS

ANN ARBOR/ DETROIT BOSTON CHICAGO NEW YORK

LOS ANGELES

826 Boston 826boston.org 826michigan 826michigan.org The Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair Shop Serves Boston Public & Greater Boston Area School Districts Serves Detroit & Ann Arbor Public Schools, Neighborhood Egleston Square, Roxbury Ypsilanti Community School District Satellite Boston Public Library Neighborhoods Ann Arbor, Detroit, & Ypsilanti Satellite Beezy’s Cafe, Ypsilanti 826CHI 826chi.org Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co. 826NYC 826nyc.org Serves Chicago Public School District Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. Neighborhood Wicker Park Serves New York City Public Schools Neighborhoods Park Slope & Williamsburg 826DC 826dc.org Satellite Brooklyn Public Library The Museum of Unnatural History Serves D.C. Public Schools 826 Valencia 826valencia.org Neighborhood Columbia Heights The Pirate Supply Store Serves San Francisco Unified School District 826LA 826la.org Neighborhood The Mission District The Echo Park Time Travel Mart Satellites Everett Middle School, Mission High School, & The Mar Vista Time Travel Mart & Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 Serves Los Angeles Unified School District Neighborhoods Mar Vista & Echo Park Satellite Manual Arts Senior High School

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

STAFF & BOARD ...... 4

OUR MISSION ...... 5

A LETTER FROM OUR CEO...... 6

2013-14 AT A GLANCE ...... 7

826 NATIONAL’S GROWTH INITIATIVE...... 9

OUR PROGRAMS...... 11

OUR VOLUNTEERS...... 12

EVALUATING 826 ...... 15

GROWTH IN OUR CHAPTERS...... 18

2013-14 MILESTONES ...... 20

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS ...... 22

STUDENT WRITING GALLERY ...... 25

DEVELOPMENT & FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ...... 28

THANK YOU! ...... 30

3 GERALD RICHARDS LINDSEY BOURNE Chief Executive Officer Finance & Communications Manager

826 MAGGIE ANDREWS COOPER DINNING Director of Development Salesforce Administrator & Development Assistant NATIONAL LAUREN BRODER Director of Research & Evaluation ANNA GROSS Field Operations Associate KAIT STEELE STAFF Director of Field Operations 826 NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS The 826 National Board is made up of independent directors and an ex officio chapter representative from each of the seven chapters in the 826 National network. Each chapter representative is a voting member of their chapter Board and the 826 National Board.

TERRY WIT DAVE EGGERS MARY SCHAEFER Board President 826 National Co-Founder Vice President, BlackRock iShares Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Founder of McSweeney’s Publishing PAUL SCHUTT & Sullivan, LLP & Award-Winning Author Co-Founder, Issue Media Group TYNNETTA MCINTOSH GERALD RICHARDS REECE HIRSCH Board Vice President CEO, 826 National Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Director of Corporate Internal JENNIFER BUNSHOFT Communications, JPMorgan Chase & Co. TARA GRECO Deputy Attorney General, Ex Officio - 826DC JOE MALCOUN California Attorney General’s Office Director of Communications for Global Board Secretary JODIE EVANS Responsibility, Walmart Ex Officio - 826michigan Ex Officio - 826LA CEO, Nutshell TESSIE TOPOL Author, Documentary Film Producer, Vice President of Corporate Social AMIR MOKARI & Co-Founder of CODEPINK Responsibility & Community Affairs, Board Treasurer JORDAN KURLAND Time Warner Cable Director, Conatus Capital Founder & Owner, Zeitgeist THOM UNTERBURGER ANDREW STRICKMAN Artist Management Ex Officio - 826NYC Ex Officio - 826 Valencia DONNA COWAN Director of Technology, CBX Vice President of Brand, Editorial Ex Officio - 826 Boston & Creative Services, Move Inc. Active Community Volunteer Emeritus Board Member DANIEL KURUNA LEAH WILLIAMS NÍNIVE CALEGARI Ex Officio - 826CHI General Counsel, WestEd 826 National Co-Founder Proprietor, EyeQuilt President & Founder, Teacher Marketing Consultancy Salary Project

4 826 National is a nonprofit organization that OUR provides strategic leadership, administration, and other resources to ensure the success of MISSION its network of seven writing and tutoring centers. 826 National’s chapters are dedicated to providing under-resourced students, ages 6-18, with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills. We also aim to help teachers inspire their students to write. Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with individualized attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

5 Dear Friends, Twelve years ago, 826 Valencia and the Pirate Supply Store opened their doors DEAR with peg legs, glass eyeballs, and eager volunteers waiting to help students with their homework and writing. Our co-founders never imagined they would start a movement that would soon span four continents! People from all over the FRIENDS world see the 826 model as a way to engage students by connecting them with caring adults in the community. Our vision for future growth is driven by our desire to serve more students and to serve students who do not have opportunities like 826 in their commu- A LETTER nities. There are three organizations participating in our chapter development process—the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philly Spells in Philadelphia, and Big Class in New Orleans. Each are in different stages of development, and we are supporting their work as they aspire to join FROM the network. In the cities where we already serve thousands of students, the demand for our programming continues to increase. Our chapters are providing additional OUR CEO services to reach more students and dive deeper in their communities. Similar to 826LA, 826 Valencia will soon have two sites; 826michigan has grown its services from Ann Arbor to the surrounding suburbs and is now expanding its footprint in Detroit; and 826 Boston is one of many chapters that has opened a satellite site. But what about those students who may not have an 826 chapter in their city? We are working on licensing several of our signature programs for use by schools and organizations. Our new STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and creative writing workbook, STEM to Story: Enthralling Lesson Plans for Students Grades 5 - 8, will be published in early 2015. As the 826 National network matures, our internal infrastructure continues to develop and strengthen. Most notably, our Salesforce database will soon include our evaluation efforts which will enable us to longitudinally track the students in our after-school programs and evaluate the long-term effects of our programming. When people ask me what is next for 826, I sometimes joke and reply “world domination.” With our sights set ﬁrmly on the future, I don’t think we are that far off.

With thanks,

Gerald Richards Chief Executive Officer

“We don’t have to tell students to think outside the box, because there is no box. They’re going to come up with amazing, fantastic, incredible ideas, and our goal is to help them with that. Not to discourage them, but to celebrate that creativity.”

6 2013-14 AT A GLANCE

Students served across the country: Number of teachers served: Active volunteers: 32,041 917 6,042

Number of publications: Stories about Internet cats: After-school tutoring sessions: 990 1 1,924

Field trips: In-school projects: Writing workshops: 730 218 378

2013-14 data includes information reported by 826 Seattle. As of November 2014, 826 Seattle is no longer a part of the 826 National network.

7 8 THE NEXT FRONTIER 826 NATIONAL’S GROWTH INITIATIVE

WHAT DRIVES US Fundraising: 826 National will launch an Expansion In 2013, the National Assessment of Educational Fund in 2015 to secure essential funds needed to develop, Progress released new data revealing that despite implement, and sustain our growth efforts. targeted efforts to create change, children from low- Access to 826 Programs, Anywhere: 826 National income communities continue to lag behind their will pursue new channels—digital applications, licensed more affluent peers. curricula, and more—to deliver our signature creative writing and literacy programs to urban and rural The report also noted that all students, regardless communities across the nation. of age or race, who reported regularly reading for fun outside of school scored higher on standard- International Reach: 826 National will continue to ized assessments than those who reported reading work with organizations inspired by our model, including for fun only a few times a year or less. the Ministry of Stories in East London and the Sydney Story Factory in Australia. We look forward to sharing 826 National has the largest reach of any national, resources with these international locations to develop community-based arts education organization and inspire new writers worldwide. that is focused on writing and literacy and serves Many of our chapters are quickly under-resourced youth. Our free programs have been Brick & Mortar: outgrowing their founding locations. In expanding demonstrated to help improve writing skills, build their services to students, they’ve begun increasing confidence, and foster creativity, propelling high- their centers’ square footage and/or serving new need students to academic success. To help address neighborhoods through satellite locations in schools the needs of our nation’s under-resourced students, and libraries. As part of our growth campaign, 826 and to respond to the increased demands for our National will play a key role in helping our chapters programs, 826 National is ready to embark on the launch localized capital campaigns to support their next phase of our journey: growth. expansion initiatives. Internal Capacity: From creating more efficient HOW WE’LL GROW database systems to offering professional development New Chapter Locations: With the guidance of 826 opportunities for 826 National and chapter staff, National’s Expansion Committee, we expect to welcome enhancing staff capacity and infrastructure is a key one to two new chapters to our network by the end of 2016. piece of our growth strategy.

“I wish all English classes had the opportunity to work with 826 consistently.” —Everett Middle School English teacher, San Francisco

9 “And this is where one-on-one attention, and one-on-one attention from an adult who is there only to read with a young person, has no substitute.”

—Dave Eggers, 826 National Co-Founder

10 This year, 826 National’s chapters collectively provided more than 32,000 OUR students from under-resourced communities and low-performing school districts with individualized tutoring, writing instruction, classroom support, and publishing opportunities. The result: better writing, improved grades, and brighter futures. While each of the individual chapters has its own unique PROGRAMS character, they all offer the following programs:

AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING Neighborhood students receive free, individualized homework help four to five days a week in all subject areas. 826 National’s tutoring program is designed to inspire learning, foster creativity, and help students under- stand and complete their homework each day. We accomplish this by giving youth—particularly low-income youth—access to invaluable academic assistance. Last year alone, 826 National’s chapters offered over 1,900 tutoring sessions across the country.

FIELD TRIPS More than 700 times a year, public school classes journey to our writing centers for two-hour, interactive, high-energy writing events, like our signature Storytelling and Bookmaking program. Students compose an original story as a group, craft plot points and characters, and then individually write their own unique endings. They return home with personalized books and a deepened understanding of storytelling, bookmaking, and collaboration. More than 320 different schools participate in Field Trips annually.

IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS We dispatch teams of trained volunteers into local, high-need public schools “Through the Young to support teachers and students. We provide individualized assistance as they tackle various writing projects, such as school newspapers, research Authors’ Book Project, papers, oral histories, and college entrance essays. Last year, 826 National’s students get to see chapters helped with 218 projects in 88 public schools. their talents materialize. WORKSHOPS Their potential is made Our free workshops encourage students to explore their creativity and strengthen their writing skills while engaging with imaginative and often tangible in a book with playful themes. In our “Mad Science” workshop, for example, students their name on it. This is don lab coats, isolate strands of their own DNA, and then write stories about their DNA mutating in strange ways. Workshops are project-based and a huge leap forward in taught by experienced, accomplished literary professionals. personal growth and one that I wish every high YOUNG AUTHORS’ BOOK PROJECT 826 National’s most significant student collaboration each year is our school student can Young Authors’ Book Project, which partners local schools with profes- experience again and sional writers and editors. Students spend three to four months writing about a particular theme and collaborate with volunteer tutors throughout again and again.” the editing and publishing process. Once the project is complete, students, volunteers, and families celebrate with a book release party in which —Gabby Lim, students read excerpts from their work. The final book is a stunning reflec- tion of months of hard work, engagement, and dedication on the part of the volunteer at 826LA students and tutors.

11 OUR Each year, more than 6,000 active volunteers make our work possible and keep our programs VOLUNTEERS free of charge. These passionate individuals are found at our centers and neighboring schools every day—supporting morning field trips, sitting side-by-side with our students after school, and helping entire classrooms learn the art of writing.

12 “I believe 826DC has the potential to change the future of the children in this community, and that is why I continue to support the good work they do.”

—Ethan Nava, volunteer at 826DC

“By the end of the morning [my student] “There is nothing more fulfilling in my life volunteered to read her memoir to the class than volunteering at 826LA…When I find and was met with wondrous applause—not myself driving past the Time Travel Mart only was her writing creative, touching, after a few days absent from volunteering and talented, but she had come to realize and think, ‘I really miss those kids and that talent for herself. In the course of a can’t wait to get back,’ I know they have morning. That’s why I volunteer for 826.” stolen my heart.” —Kelsey Campolong, volunteer at 826CHI —Jaime Fox, volunteer at 826LA “826 is one of those places that I’m absolutely sure that I always leave with a sense of moral clarity.” —Kim Connor, volunteer at 826 Valencia

“I learned the life stories of an amazing “I decided to volunteer because I fell in love group of immigrant teenagers and helped with the concept of teaching youth to use 5th graders create beautiful poetry. I think words as weapons while learning to express that [826] really changes lives.” themselves through written language.” —Rachel Greenberg, volunteer at 826 Boston —Louis Castillo, volunteer at 826NYC

13 14 EVALUATING 826

Last October, 826 National contracted Arbor Consulting Partners to conduct a national study on the impact of its After-School Tutoring (AST) program on participating students. The consultants began by deﬁning 826’s “culture of creativity”:

826, by design, is a creative space, and the ethos of 826 centers is to encourage creativity. Within 826, there is a “culture of creativity” driven by a set of norms which infuse daily activity, from the tone set by staff to the way in which tutors work with students to the inventiveness of young people once given the okay to explore. These norms include: experimentation and risk-taking for student writing; respect for diversity of learning styles; honoring diversity of opinion, race, ethnicity and culture; and experimentation for tutors in working with students on homework and writing.[1]

Key strengths of the 826 AST program include: Ċŗ The 826 AST program is a model program in which a Ċŗ Volunteers, students, and parents observed gains culture of creativity infuses both homework help and in areas related to homework, habits of mind, and creative writing opportunities. enjoyment of writing. Ċŗ Students in the 826 AST program become part of Ċŗ More than half of the volunteers (55%) observed a community of learners and writers, supported by gains in students’ self-conﬁdence. committed volunteers and staff who are devoted to Ċŗ The vast majority of students who responded to helping them succeed. the post-program survey felt that participating Ċŗ With the support of volunteers and staff—and within in the 826 AST program helped them to become an environment permeated by a culture of creativity better writers (85%). —students develop “habits of mind” that support the Ċŗ Parents confirm that their children are more achievement of positive academic outcomes. likely to complete homework when at 826...

Key findings include: Ċŗ 826 provides a safe physical and social space in which a culture of creativity ﬂourishes. Volunteers report that 826 provides a series of distinct “elements of safety” in the AST program that contribute to student progress, and they also make the link between “elements of safety” that help them bring creativity into their work with students. Students confirm the importance of coming to a safe environment where creativity is valued and encouraged. Parents also place great value on the “safe space” that 826 provides.

This text is an excerpt from the evaluation report by 1 Definition developed by Arbor Consulting Partners, Mindy Fried, Ph.D. and Madeleine Taylor, Ph.D. of Arbor with input from 826 National. Consulting Partners. An executive summary of the report will be available on 826 National’s website.

15 16 17 GROWTH IN OUR CHAPTERS

& CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

Located in seven cities across the country, 826 National’s chapters offer free after-school tutoring, in-class support for teachers and students, and workshops covering everything from space exploration to screen writing. Their playful storefronts remove the stigma asso- ciated with tutoring; provide a gateway for meeting families, teachers, and volunteers; and generate modest earned income to support our free programs.

Each year, 826 National and its chapters set ambitious goals to meet the needs of more communities nationwide. This past year was one for the books. Chapters established new satellite sites and in-school partnerships, launched innovative reading and writing programs, and reached an ever-increasing number of students from diverse backgrounds.

In addition to supporting tremendous growth among our existing chapters, we re-opened the 826 National Chapter Development Process and plan to accept letters of interest from new groups on an annual basis. Three organizations are currently participating in the early stages of the process: Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN), Philly Spells (Philadelphia, PA), and Big Class (New Orleans, LA). Beyond these sites, there are now more than twenty U.S. and fifteen international organizations providing 826-inspired programming to students and schools in their communities.

18 826 Boston expanded its After-School 826michigan expanded into the Detroit Public Tutoring program to a new satellite site School district, and now serves three different at the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Detroit Area schools, in addition to their existing Public Library. work in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

826CHI outgrew its flagship space, moving 826NYC ventured into the Bronx to work with two blocks south to a newly customized students on a five-week, poetry-themed Young writing center that will better serve its Authors’ Book Project at The Bronx Leadership current student population and allow more Academy II. young writers to get involved. 826 Valencia expanded its after-school 826DC started Reading All-Stars, an initia- writing table model to Buena Vista Horace tive to help students develop reading skills Mann, a bilingual K-8 school, to serve 3rd, by working one-on-one with volunteer tutors 4th, and 5th grade students, many of whom every Saturday morning. are English Language Learners.

826LA launched a new satellite center at Manual Arts Senior High School in South Los Angeles, which served 318 students and 16 teachers through 12 projects in its first year.

19 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AWARD 2013-14 Last fall, the 826 National network was honored to be awarded the inaugural American Prize for Literacy by the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress MILESTONES Literacy Awards Program was created to help support organizations working to alleviate the problem of illiteracy in the United States and worldwide. In particular, the initiative seeks to recognize organizations that have been doing exemplary, innovative, and easily replicable work over a sustained period of time.

“We believe your organization’s ten-year history of addressing community literacy problems through storefronts in [seven] cities across the country exemplifies an innovative and unique approach to helping at-risk K-12 students achieve reading and writing proficiency.” —James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress

20 “Anyone who’s inspired by 826 and looking to start a chapter or anything similar would benefit from the 101 seminar. In two days we’ve leapt months in understanding of where we are as an organization and where we need to go to continue to grow and succeed.” —Emily Kastner, Kalamazoo, MI

SOMETHING TO SAY: 826 NATIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE A REPORT BY THE WALLACE FOUNDATION Every June, staff members from each 826 chapter come 826 National was thrilled to be featured in a prominent together for one of our favorite weeks of the year—the report by The Wallace Foundation about after-school 826 National Staff Development Conference. Filled with arts programs. The report, titled Something to Say: speeches, peer-to-peer learning, intra-chapter planning, Success Principles for Afterschool Arts Programs from and nearly thirty guest facilitators, this year’s confer- Urban Youth and Other Experts, identifies 826 National ence did not disappoint. Here are just a few of the many as an exemplary national arts organization with after- highlights: school programs that are successfully engaging low- Ċŗ An inspiring opening keynote address on the income, urban youth. power of storytelling from award-winning author Luis Alberto Urrea OPRAH Ċŗ An eye-opening presentation by Xavier Danae MaatRa We’ve always been a huge fan of Oprah, and last December of the Chicago Freedom School about identity, power, we were excited to find out that the admiration is mutual. and oppression 826 National was featured in the holiday edition of O, The Ċŗ A presentation about the humorous and empowering Oprah Magazine as one of “11 Ways to Use Your Skills to results of putting children in charge from the staff at Do Good” in the year ahead. Ministry of Stories, a creative writing and mentoring center in East London inspired by the 826 model STEM + CREATIVE WRITING Continuing our partnership with Time Warner Cable, 826 NATIONAL 101 SEMINARS we have spent the past year working on an exciting new Four times a year, the 826 National staff lead two days book of lesson plans that connects hands-on discovery of engaging workshops and comprehensive presentations in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in our 101 Seminar. The seminar is designed to provide with creative writing. resources and tools to those interested in starting their STEM to Story: Enthralling and Effective Lesson Plans own community-based nonprofit organizations. Proceeds for Grades 5-8 is a dynamic resource—adaptable and from these events support our free writing programs applicable in school, after school, and at home. Inspired across the country. This past year, for the first time ever, by 826 National programming, and field tested in our we held a 101 Seminar in New York City to make the event chapters and at partner organizations, the lessons accessible to new audiences. are aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. We are excited to share these learning opportunities with the world when the book hits shelves in early 2015.

21 STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Across all programs, 826 National is committed to publishing our students’ work in an array of student-authored anthologies, essay collec- tions, and poetry chapbooks. They are designed and edited by industry professionals to allow the students’ work to shine. During the 2013-14 school year, 826 National’s chapters produced 990 student publications, making our population of more than 32,000 students published authors.

“For students to see their work in a bound, printed copy not only gives tangibility to their efforts, but it legiti- mizes their individual voice and style.”

—Lacey Dunham, Program Director at 826DC

826 National’s Serial Storytelling Project Seven is a special number to us at 826 National. After chapter, multi-state project, we received back twelve receiving a donation of Moleksine notebooks containing separate stories, each handwritten by seven student seven pages each, it only made sense to introduce an authors. At each chapter, students included a nod to 826 chapter-wide serial storytelling project. We circu- their city—if not their city’s 826 chapter storefront— lated the twelve notebooks through all seven of our resulting in stories and author bios that are both chapters, asking students from around the country to enlightening and truly one-of-a-kind. write one page apiece. At the conclusion of the multi-

22 826LA 826 Boston Beyond the Gates and Fences I’m a Flame You Can’t Put Out Sophomores at Manual Arts High School dream big and In 826 Boston’s latest anthology, bilingual students from share their visions of success in school, love, and careers Rafael Hernandez School write in English and Spanish to in 826LA’s eleventh YABP, Beyond the Gates and Fences. The share funny, thoughtful, and inspiring poems that represent collection is led by a foreword from Los Angeles Mayor Eric who they are. Garcetti, who calls the young authors “the hope of our city.” “Nothing can get in the way of “My hand is ready with a pencil my dream and where I know I to start a new future.” am headed.” —Rebecca L., student at 826 Boston

—Kriston G., student at 826LA 826michigan Enjoy! Recipes for Building Community Learn how to make “Arroz Guisado con Pollo” and “How To Be Successful in Life” with 826michigan’s publication, Enjoy! Recipes for Building Community. It’s ﬁlled with recipes, memoirs, how-to’s, and penpal letters from students at Ypsilanti Community High School. “Education is a tool that can take you far in life, and education is worth more than money... If you can use education as a tool, then nobody can take that from you.” —Abdirahim J., student at 826michigan

23 826DC Everyone is Moving, No One in Place High school poets at the SEED School of Washington, D.C. share their perspectives on everything from breakdancing to gentri- fication in 826DC’s sixth student-authored anthology. With a beautifully written foreword by Kyle Dargan, Everyone is Moving, No One in Place shows us “what it is like to be a child in this city at this moment when everything—including yourself—may feel as though it is changing.” “Overpower the darkness/with light and defeat/fire with water/Make your future into/the present and dreams/ into reality.” —Dakoda D., student at 826DC

826NYC Growing Our Hearts & Brains Students from the Bronx Leadership Academy II explored poetry over the semester, passionately writing about love, technology, and success. In her foreword to Growing Our Hearts & Brains, Patricia Smith writes, “the voices here are astounding and singular.” “I face stereotypes everyday/But that doesn’t stop me from being successful.” —David W., student at 826NYC

826CHI Even A Lion Can Get Lost In The Jungle Finding the good in one of Chicago’s most underserved communities, students from the Harvard School of Excellence write about positive forces in Englewood that have shaped their identities. The stories in Even a Lion Can Get Lost in the Jungle are heart- warming, heartbreaking, and begging to be heard.

“By following dreams, having goals, and thinking about other people, the youth of Englewood can break this pattern of violence.” —Christiana P., student at 826CHI

826 Valencia Uncharted Places: An Atlas of Being Here 826 Valencia returned to Thurgood Marshall Academic High School to create Uncharted Places: An Atlas of Being Here. Students write about the journeys that brought them to where they are and the journeys their futures hold in this collection of places— physical, transitory, imaginary, and emotional.

“But sometimes a memory can change you from being someone who thinks that life is insignificant to someone who under- stands the importance of memories, even bad ones.” —Justin S., student at 826 Valencia

24 STUDENT WRITING GALLERY

LET YOUR MIND BREAK DANCE Diamond L., student at 826DC Shine bright burn their eyes Don’t be afraid make yourself proud.

Open your wings fly away don’t capture your thoughts let them play.

Be free. Let your imagination shout aloud don’t stand by, stay on top of the cloud.

Let the pen be your key to all locked doors. Let your mind break dance on every single floor. The paper is the freedom from all things that enslave you. Open your hands and let your words take you.

25 A FAMILY IN THE CLASSROOM Elizabeth M., student at 826LA So it seems that being a teacher isn’t all that easy. Ms. Mendoza manages to pull through it all. Never in my schooling years have I met a teacher who is so determined and eager to teach her students. Those are the small qualities that inspire me to become a teacher just like her. I admire Ms. Mendoza because aside from teaching me lessons in class, she also teaches life lessons...I want to be able to help future kids, be a role model, and motivate them to try their best, just as Ms. Mendoza has done for me. I want to be able to help them achieve their goals and find enthusiasm, making an educational difference. I have always liked kids and school. I look forward to inter- acting with them and helping them, making it seem as though we’re all family inside the classroom.

HOW TO BE A GOOD READER Anshi, student at 826michigan To be a reader you have to read. You can read long things, short things, scary things, mushy love things, but you have to read. Glue your eyes (not literally) to the paper and read. Read different things so you know what you like. Don’t read exciting things at bedtime. You won’t get sleep, so you can’t read. Because when you read, your imagination is awesome!

26 RECIPE FOR ARROZ GUISADO CON POLLO Rosibel B., student at 826michigan Arroz con Pollo is a typical dish in Puerto Rico. A lot of people know how to make rice with chicken, but not the way a Puerto Rican can do it. Arroz con Pollo is like the door of heaven. When you put it in your mouth and feel the taste, it’s like you’ve moved to another country and are tasting the best food in the world. This recipe is really important to me because it’s my mom’s favorite dish, and it’s part of my family. My mom is the most important woman in my whole life. If my mom doesn’t like something, I don’t like it either. Arroz con Pollo represents my country, my culture, and my people. I’m proud of where I come from . . . I’m from Puerto Rico.

INTERNET CATS Rai’jon T., student at 826NYC Oh Internet cat, oh Internet cat Can I really love you? All I can do is talk to you But I can’t touch you snuggle with Or pet you All I can do is stare at and message you And miss you like a cookie without its chocolate chip Or Noah without his ark. Oh Internet cat, oh Internet cat Can our love be?

27 DEVELOPMENT & FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

53% FOUNDATIONS 72% CHAPTER SUPPORT

18% CORPORATE 17% MANAGEMENT, GENERAL, & ADMINISTRATIVE 15% CHAPTER FEES 11% FUNDRAISING 6% INDIVIDUALS

4% GOVERNMENT

4% EARNED INCOME* *101 Seminars, Book Projects, Web Store

28 Unrestricted Temporarily REVENUE Total Funds Restricted Funds Chapter Fees $185,150 $185,150 Earned Income Program Revenue $38,762 $38,762 Book Royalties $6,688 $6,688 Web Store $1,178 $1,178 Interest $38 $38 Total Earned Income $46,666 $46,666 Contributions Foundations $473,965 $205,200 $679,165 Corporate $142,248 $90,000 $232,248 Individuals $82,298 $82,298 Government $52,500 $52,500 Total Contributions $751,011 $295,200 $1,046,211 Net Assets Released from Restrictions $401,745 ($401,745) Total Revenue $1,384,572 ($106,545) $1,278,027

EXPENSES

Program Services Chapter Support $816,651 $816,651 Supporting Services Management, General, & Administrative $ 199,853 $ 199,853 Fundraising $125,904 $125,904 Total Supporting Services $325,757 $325,757 Totals Total Expenses $1,142,408 $1,142,408 Change in Net Assets $242,164 ($106,545) $135,619 Net Assets, Beginning of the Year $338,219 $106,545 $444,764 Net Assets, End of the Year $580,383 $580,383

The complete annual audited financial statements and reports are available at the 826 National office for review.

29 We are grateful to the many foundations, THANK corporations, institutions, and individuals who make our work possible. With your generosity, YOU! we are able to support our chapters as they provide programs free of charge to thousands of young writers.

$100,000+ $5,000-9,999 Tynnetta McIntosh Lambent Foundation CAA Foundation Amir Mokari Panta Rhea Foundation Ayelet Waldman & Michael Chabon Jennifer Bunshoft Anonymous Reece Hirsch Kevin Reed R. Timmons $25,000-99,999 $1,000-4,999 Gene & Suzanne Valla Levi Strauss Another Planet Entertainment Ira Wagner National Endowment for the Arts Boomer Family Fund Timothy Willis Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Adriene Bowles Eric Winston LLP BLK SHP c/o Bright Funds Foundation Time Warner Cable Mahea Campbell $250-999 X-Filme Creative Pool GmbH CharityBuzz Ruth Bailey Yellow Chair Foundation Chegg Inc. Jennifer Barrett Kenneth Chiate Alden Bourne & Joeli Hettler $10,000-24,999 Irl Cramer Justin Bradley Bad Robot Productions, Inc. Conatus Capital Management LP Cars 4 Causes Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation Howard Cutler A. Holly Sphar & Amy Charleroy BlackRock Foundation The Davis Charitable Trust Sarah Chester Jamieson Foundation & Jimenez-Cruz David Elsberg Leonard Ciccotello Family JP Morgan Chase Foundation Google Matching Gifts Program Merge Records June Jackson Marian & Roger Gray New World Foundation The Keough Family Foundation Marc Greenwald Prior Family Foundation Dan Kuruna & Justine Jentes Michael Litman Singer Family Foundation Susheel Kirpalani National Philanthropic Trust SlideShare Jordan Kurland Leap Books LLC Terry Wit Sarah Mathew Brian O’Connor Nion McEvoy Margaret O’Connor

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