3 minute read
Writers’ Rooms & In-Schools
by 826LA
FROM “Monbirds to the Rescue!”
BY ANNALLIA D. IN THE GOOD SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE ,
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A PUBLICATION BY 826LA AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING STUDENTS
Have you ever seen a monkey and a bird combined? It’s called a Monbird. It has a bird’s body and a monkey’s tail. If you haven’t seen one, you need to find an alien named Eight. Eight can change anything into a Monbird with magic. He only has to turn his hand as if turning a doorknob and whoosh!
TREASURER’S REPORT
REVENUE
Government (34%) $913,398 Donations (30%) $812,410 Events & Contracts (16%) $423,000 Grants (15%) $394,833 Store Sales (5%) $123,246
EXPENSES
Programming (77%) $1,932,301 Development (17%) $419,529 Admin (6%) $164,842
—FROM “Corners of Boyle Heights” BY HEIDI Z. IN BEHIND OUR MASKS
BY STUDENTS IN ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL’S ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM
How You Can Help
INDIVIDUALS
When you donate to 826LA, you are helping students from under-resourced communities write their own futures. We are grateful for the many ways people show their generosity: by donating time, materials, expertise, and, of course, money.
FIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT 826LA
• Volunteer as a tutor, designer, or event helper.
If you have a skill, we can put you to work!
Visit 826LA.org/volunteer • Make a tax-deductible donation at 826LA.org/donate • Join Future Bestsellers Club! Make a recurring donation and receive student writing in your inbox each month. • Connect 826LA with your network: friends, family, family foundations • Introduce 826LA to the person in charge of corporate responsibility at your place of employment
COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Corporate sponsorship is win-win: Students from under-resourced communities get the tools and support they need, and your company makes a positive and visible impact. We thank our highestlevel sponsors with a special spot at Changing the Story, our biggest event of the year. We are excited to talk with you about other forms of recognition, which we can tailor to your company’s goals: blog posts about our partnership, mentions in our newsletter (which reaches more than 6,000 subscribers), social media posts, and more.
CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING
826LA loves corporate volunteer groups! Did you know that 92% of human resource executives agree that contributing to a non-profit organization can build an employee’s leadership skills? Volunteering is also a great team-building activity.
WHAT’S NEXT
FROM “Open”
BY JSLE IN BEHIND OUR MASKS
BY STUDENTS IN ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL’S ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM
If I could re-imagine the world, nobody would feel uncomfortable around someone for being in their own skin.
When I first wanted to come out to my abuela, ella me dijo, “Una niña de tu edad no sabe que es su sexualidad hasta los 18 años.” Since that day I never tried again. But I have to remind myself that, in order to enjoy the world and see the brighter side of things, we cannot change everyone…
Taking care of myself… means reminding myself I did the best I could do, and congratulating myself because… I got up and tried. At our annual planning retreat for the present school year, we asked each staff member to craft their own theory of change— a description of how and why our programs impact students. The varied answers included telling phrases: “meet students where they are at,” “students and teachers that love writing,” “spark curiosity,” “impact society.” These hint at 826LA’s belief that writing is not a standalone skill but an integral part of supporting the whole child on their journey to becoming a whole adult.
In the 2022-2023 school year, we will take our mission to the next level by increasing both the breadth and depth of our programs. We will double the number of students served and embark on Project 553, a dedicated effort to provide writing support for more than 500 Black and African-American students. We will also add creative mindfulness practices to all our programs. From deep breathing to dance breaks, students who are grounded in the present and comfortable in their bodies are free to think and write. If writing—sometimes about intense or even traumatic experiences—is key to processing the world around us, mindfulness offers a gentle ramp in and out of writing.
As always, it will take support from our entire community—students, educators, families, staff, volunteers, our Board and donors—to make next year’s dream a reality. We’re confident in our community and excited to embark on this work with you.
