OUR MISSION
826LA is dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. 826LA’s services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
DEAR FRIENDS,
At 826LA, students discover the joy of writing and build skills for future success.
Whether students aspire to go to college, land an amazing job, or create the next Hollywood blockbuster, writing will play a vital role in achieving their dreams. Writing is a tool for learning, advocacy, and self-expression. It can transform a struggling student into a confident scholar and storyteller.
We see this transformation happen every day at 826LA. It inspires us to reach as many students with our free writing programs as we can, and we are well on our way. During the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2016, 826LA served more than 9,000 students and published more than 200 books.
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, but marginalized populations don’t often have the opportunity to share their stories widely. We work to show students just how far their creativity can take them. Last year, 826LA students turned their writing into a back-to-school campaign for Target, saw their books integrated into the curriculum of local colleges, and pitched their movie ideas to J.J. Abrams and the staff of Bad Robot Productions.
826LA is proud of our students and the community of supporters that we have built. We hope that you enjoy reading about our progress and achievements, but more importantly, we hope you are inspired to get involved in anyway you can to cultivate the next generation of Los Angeles storytellers.
With gratitude,
JOEL ARQUILLOS Executive Director
WHY 826LA?
Writing is an essential tool for success in the 21st century.
The National Commission on Writing reports that over 90% of white-collar workers and 80% of blue-collar workers think that writing is important to job success.
But in last year’s California statewide testing, 41% of 11th graders did not meet standards for language arts. The situation is more dire for students from low-income families, which account for 80% of the LAUSD’s 734,000+ student population. The percentage of students living at the poverty level scoring below basic in English language arts tends to be two times higher than students from higher-income families.
826LA addresses this income achievement gap in LAUSD schools by providing quality writing programs six days a week all year round to students who need it most. With a volunteer corps that includes writers, artists, and creative professionals, 826LA provides much needed individualized attention to students to help them realize their dreams.
At 826LA, writing opens hearts, opens minds, and opens doors.
2015-2016 AT A GLANCE
21,687 hours volunteered
9,087 students served
237 LAUSD teachers supported
222 books published
1 Writers’ Room launched
“There are few instances where the people you meet and the interactions you have really sink in. 826LA has definitely been one of those instances. The volunteers—they will forever be remembered.”
JORGE, STUDENT AT MANUAL ARTS HIGH SCHOOL
VOLUNTEERS
What’s the secret behind 826LA’s success? Thousands of amazing volunteers.
This year, over 1,200 new faces walked through 826LA’s doors to support student writing. 826LA didn’t just focus on recruiting volunteers—the organization provided new opportunities for professional development, including how to respond to conversations about race, gender, and identity in the classroom. In 826LA writing centers and in schools across Los Angeles, volunteers showed how much they care about the future of students and their voices.
Centaur Club
Expanded this special group for those who volunteer over 100+ hours a year.
Trainings
Implemented new volunteer trainings, including “Race, Gender, and Identity.”
Diversity
Focused on recruiting more seniors and volunteers of color.
Service Learners
Provided hands-on learning opportunities for students from Antioch University, Cal State LA, CSUN, USC, Cal Poly Pomona, UCLA, LMU, and Santa Monica College.
Community
Partnerships
Partnered with Union Bank, Blue Bottle, Team One, Google, Sony Pictures, Bad Robot, Target, and ADHD to create more opportunities for student engagement and learning.
OUR PROGRAMS
“How do you get better at writing? You practice. I’m always excited to come here. I hope this never ends.”
YATZEL, STUDENT IN AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING
TUTORING
The scratching of pencils, the hum of conversations, the applause at a book release party—this is what 826LA’s tutoring program sounds like.
Monday through Thursday, trained volunteers help students with homework and creative writing projects. Students participate in a daily writing and editing practice, which culminates in the publication of a beautifully designed chapbook. To inspire students to create and value their writing, 826LA hosts quarterly book release parties, where students read their writing for an audience of family and friends.
226
Students Served
693 Volunteers
506 Tutoring Sessions
10 Publications
90% of students reported that they felt comfortable asking for help with their homework.
Bad Robot Productions
Inspire a New Generation
“Ciro’s pitch was so imaginative and enjoyable to listen to. It represented everything 826LA stands for— encouraging creativity and inspiring students to discover and explore their passion for writing.”
BECCA PERRY, BAD ROBOT PRODUCTIONS
Screenwriters across LA know that their genius idea will never be produced unless they can pitch it compellingly. The aspiring screenwriters at 826LA polished their own pitches before visiting Bad Robot Productions in May 2016. They were all nerves on the drive over, but their preparation and confidence shined brightly when it came time to share their very own movie ideas and screenplays with Bad Robot Productions. Students listened intently as J.J. Abrams and the staff provided constructive feedback and advice.
The students weren’t the only ones that were inspired. Bad Robot’s Becca Perry was particularly excited by Ciro’s protagonist named Journey Kernel who she hopes to see on the big screen one day. Becca said of the experience, “Seeing the genuine enthusiasm for creative writing that a younger generation has definitely helps reignite my own passion for the work I am doing and reminds me why I am doing it.
After visiting Bad Robot Productions, Ciro said that learning is “to believe in your stories and ideas no matter how crazy they seem.”
“The workshop made me confident to write even if I was wrong.”
LUIS, STUDENT AT ICEF VISTA
WORKSHOPS
826LA’s workshops bring students together with artists and writers for creative collaboration. This year, 826LA hosted a wide range of workshops from screenwriting to journalism, during which professional journalists supported students as they researched, wrote, and edited articles for a printed newspaper.
In the fall of 2015, 826LA launched a partnership with The Broad, Los Angeles’s newest art museum, to host workshops in writing and art. 826LA students piloted these workshops, visiting the museum multiple times throughout the year and constructing writing prompts in response to the exhibits. The Broad will use the new 826LA workshop curriculum for all field trips to the museum.
1,208 Students Served
445 Volunteers
81 Workshops
34 Publications
93% of students reported that they would be able to use what they had learned in the workshop on other writing assignments.
Mr. Page is on a Five Year Roll
“Students must have the foundation for writing, both narrative and informational, in order to be best prepared for futures that will depend on communication in written form.”
MR. PAGE, TEACHER
Ten years ago, Mr. Page became an LAUSD teacher to serve his city. As a proud and native Angeleno, Mr. Page loves nothing more than teaching 6th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies at Thomas Starr King Middle School. The biggest challenge for Mr. Page is guiding his classes through the tumultuous world of middle school, but the biggest reward is building a strong groundwork and seeing it flourish as his students continue their education.
That begins with writing.
For five years, Mr. Page has been bringing his classes to 826LA. His students collaborate to write “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories, learning about the second-person perspective and
decisionmaking in the process. Every student individually finishes a storyline, and takes home a bound book. For Mr. Page, the school year is not complete without an inspiring visit to 826LA.
“826LA workshops and programs will help to underpin any writing curriculum you are using or have designed,” he says. But 826LA Field Trips do more than provide Common Core support, they inject enthusiasm for learning and create lasting memories. One of his favorite parts of the school year is being able to look back at the published books a year later and remember his students’ creative ideas.
826LA Field Trips show students that writing can be fun and provide a tangible artifact of their creativity. Mr. Page believes 826LA can play an important role in inspiring Los Angeles students to write.
“The program was strong in the development of a story. This is really important not only for grabbing interest, but allowing children the free space to be creative without fear.”
SHANNA BURBANK, TEACHER AT LOCKWOOD AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
FIELD TRIPS
On weekday mornings, 826LA welcomes LAUSD classes to its writing centers for a morning of high-energy learning. In one popular Field Trip, elementary school students collaborate to write a book to please the grouchy publisher, Mr. Barnacle, who admonishes them to avoid clichés and urges them develop original characters. During other Field Trips, students work in small groups to write memoirs or tackle an essay assigned by their teacher with the support of 826LA volunteers.
This year, 826LA made a shift in the schools it invited to attend Field Trips, focusing on those schools where 51% or more of the students qualify as economically disadvantaged. 100% of Field Trips in Echo Park were scheduled with target schools and 87% of Field Trips in Mar Vista this year were scheduled with target schools (a 47% increase from last year).
4,770 Students Served
254 Volunteers
190 Field Trips
234 Publications
99% of teachers reported that their students would bring new excitement for writing back to the classroom.
“I cannot stress enough the role social skills play in tutoring. I love that the students had adults to talk to about their writing and their lives. Students also learned follow-through, paragraph indentation, spelling, commas, and confidence.”
DEBORAH CHAPMAN, TEACHER AT ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL
IN-SCHOOLS PROJECTS
Because it is not feasible for all students to come to its writing centers, 826LA brings its programs and trained volunteers into underresourced public schools. With a high level of writing support in their classrooms, teachers can reduce the adult-to-student ratio and complete ambitious projects in line with their curriculum.
During the 2015-2016 school year, 826LA worked with teachers to design projects on persuasive and analytical essay writing, poetry, oral histories, and other genres in classes ranging from Journalism to Physics. At Roosevelt High School, a 9th grade ethnic studies class wrote personal and community narratives, using what they’d learned in class to highlight stories traditionally marginalized in history courses. After a semester of writing and revision, 826LA published the students’ book, This is My Revolution: Thoughts on Resistance, Resilience, and Reimagination in Boyle Heights.
1,851 Students Served
126 Volunteers
15 Schools Served
30 Teachers Served
94% of teachers reported that the quality of their students’ writing had improved after help from 826LA.
“At Manual Arts, we are more than volunteers. We are first readers, tutors, collaborators, mentors, champions, and allies.”
JENNY BRAGG, VOLUNTEER
826LA WRITERS’ ROOM AT MANUAL ARTS
After two years of intensive planning and pilot programs, 826LA opened the Writers’ Room at Manual Arts High School at the start of the 2015-2016 school year. The Writers’ Room is a classroom that looks like one of 826LA’s writing centers—framed student writing on the walls, inspirational artwork, cozy furniture, and trained volunteers ready to support students. These include long-term projects scheduled with teachers and drop-in sessions for students working on college applications. More than half of Manual Arts students took advantage of having a Writers’ Room at their school this year.
Approximately one third of volunteers in the Writers’ Room are college students from the University of Southern California, located just a few blocks from Manual Arts. In Spring 2016, USC students enrolled in a course called “Writing in the Communities,” mentoring Manual Arts students in the Writers’ Room while collaboratively writing and filming a documentary about the high school.
731 Students Served
158 Tutoring Hours
11 Teachers Served
66 Volunteers
91% of students who received support in the Writers’ Room reported that their writing improved with the help of an 826LA tutor.
“For many of our students, applying to college is very challenging and intimidating because many of them are the first in their family to even go. 826LA plays a big role in the application process because the essay is what many of our students struggle with.”
MARIBEL
DE ANDA, LA PROMISE FUND COLLEGE ACCESS COUNSELOR AT MANUAL ARTS HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE ACCESS
An essential part of the college admission process is writing an effective personal statement. These essays can be a space for students to explain how they’ve faced challenges and overcome obstacles, illustrating qualities that other components of their application may not highlight. As a writing organization, 826LA can have the greatest impact on students’ success by providing them with writing support during this crucial time in the admission process.
The application season ended with the sixth annual Great LA Personal Statement Weekend, a two-day event during which 171 students finished their applications with help of 826LA volunteers. In March 2016, 826LA followed up the fall personal statement programs with Scholarship Day in the Writers’ Room at Manual Arts, an event at which any student who worked with 826LA on a college application could return for help in transforming their personal statement into a scholarship essay.
1,064
Students Served
163 Program Hours
12 Schools Served
100% of students reported that they
felt more prepared to
apply to college
after
working with a volunteer on their personal statements.
“When young people write, they’re able to see how beautiful they are, they find themselves.”
DOLORES HUERTA, UNITED FARM WORKERS CO-FOUNDER, FROM THE FOREWORD TO EACH LITTLE LEAF
YOUNG AUTHORS’ BOOK PROJECT
Each year, 826LA partners with one Los Angeles public high school to create a beautifully composed, impeccably designed collection of student writing. Over the course of a semester, volunteers go into the classroom to work one-on-one with students, polishing their stories until they sparkle. Students form a self-selected editorial board that guides every step of the publication. These books are published by 826LA and sold at bookstores across the country.
In May 2016, 826LA celebrated the release of Each Little Leaf, a collection of nonfiction stories written by sixty-five students from Ánimo Venice High School. Dolores Huerta wrote a foreword for the book, which contains stories that center around a single moment that can change a life. As the students wrote in the introduction to the book, “We learned that the writing process is not just one and done—there is much more to it. We had to revise and revise and revise...We learned that feedback from others is essential.” The book was designed by local design studio, ITAL/C.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Over the past few years, 826LA has seen tremendous growth. These accomplishments were driven by 826LA’s vision: reaching as many underserved students across Los Angeles as possible. In 2015, staff and the Board of Directors collaborated to create a new strategic plan to translate that big vision into something more tangible for the next three years.
Four key strategic priorities guide the planning for 2015-2018 to better serve students and strengthen 826LA:
PRIORITY 1
Deepen programming, slightly expand reach, and focus on underserved students.
PRIORITY 2
Grow, retain, and diversify volunteer base.
PRIORITY 3
Grow overall fundraising and strengthen brand awareness.
PRIORITY 4
Continue strengthening operations, process, and culture; and hire, retain, and diversify the staff and Board.
To reach these goals, 826LA needs the support of the entire community. Take a look at the full strategic plan at www.826LA.org, but more importantly, join 826LA in making these big ideas happen.
“The hard part is having something to say and knowing how to say it, and almost every kid I’ve met at 826LA has something to say and knows how to say it.”
B.J. NOVAK, VOLUNTEER
TELL ME A STORY
Produced in partnership with li.st, Tell Me a Story was a memorable evening of storytelling, live music, and comedy that raised crucial funds to support 826LA. The night’s theme was the gold standard of organizational writing: lists! Actors and writers Maria Bello, Catherine Keener, Keegan-Michael Key, Al Madrigal, BJ Novak, Bob Odenkirk, and Kristen Schaal read some of their favorites on stage. Musical interludes included a set from Best Coast as well as Mariachi Jaguares from Mendez High School.
Before the show, students from 826LA’s Youth Advisory Board had the opportunity to interview celebrity guests on the red carpet. After answering questions about their inspiration and favorite books, the conversation turned to advice. Bob Odenkirk told the aspiring journalists, “When people are young, and they’re students, they feel like, ‘Oh I’m never going to be one of the great writers or one of the great actors,’ but you have to realize that everyone starts where you are. And all you have to do is try, every day.”
The Time Travel Mart is the convenience store for time travelers.
As the storefront of 826LA, the Time Travel Mart transports visitors to a place where the real time machines are pencils and paper. This liminal space welcomes neighbors in to pick up favorites from yesteryear (like cans of Mammoth Chunks) and to learn about the authors of tomorrow. Student publications are proudly sold alongside books by more established writers. All proceeds benefit 826LA.
Many of the products in the Time Travel Mart were created by volunteers. Through a series of Creative Roundtables, professional writers, artists, and creatives come together to design and write copy for unique space-time continuum-bending products. Visit us in-store in Mar Vista or Echo Park or online at www.timetravelmart.com!
JULY 1, 2015-JUNE 30, 2016
TOTAL INCOME
$1,702,710 TOTAL EXPENSES
$1,427,692
$50,000+
Annenberg Foundation
Karisma Foundation
Louis and Carolyn Lucido
Vera R. Campbell Foundation
Weingart Foundation
$25,000+
Anonymous
Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann
Bad Robot Productions, Inc.
City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs
Critical Role Productions and Critters
Diane and Dorothy Brooks Foundation
Terena and Anders Eisner
Tai Lopez
Los Angeles Times Family Fund
Rose Hills Foundation
Kira Snyder and Allen Blue
Target
The Goldhirsh Foundation
The Green Foundation
The Wylie Agency, Inc.
$10,000+
All Ways Up Foundation
Baskin Family Foundation
Boulevard Partners
Byrne Family Foundation
Carol and James Collins Foundation
Henry and Inell Chase
DreamWorks Animation SKG
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
DeAnna and Kenny Gravillis
Lear Family Foundation
Los Angeles County
Arts Commission
National Endowment for the Arts
NBC Universal Media, LLC
PwC
Sylvie and Steve Rabineau
Sappi S.D. Warren Company
Schwab Charitable Fund
Sidhu-Singh Family Foundation
Sony Pictures Entertainment
The Gotham Group, Inc.
The Joan Leidy Foundation
Time Warner Cable
Paul F. Tompkins and the Dead Authors Podcast
WGN America
$5,000+
AMC
Anonymous
Maya Burkenroad
Matthew and Christy Cherniss
City National Bank
Carrie Clifford and Paul Boese
Cole Haan
Color Force
Disney VoluntEARS
Community Fund
David and Lillian Dulan
Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida
Jodie Evans
Vince and Lesley Fiorillo
Flanny Productions, LTD.
HBO
Joyce Green Family Foundation
KCRW
Christine Ko
Shalini and Kamini Malhotra
Microsoft
NBC4
Louise Nutt
Glasgow Phillips and Heather Waters
Rose and David Dortot Foundation
The Broad Union Bank Foundation
Universe
Wilhelm Foundation
$2,500+
Debbie and Marty Adelstein
Benjamin Blacker and Nerdist Writers Panels
Blue Bottle Coffee
Brillstein Entertainment Partners
CAA Foundation
Grant and Virginia DeVaul
Rebecca and Mattis Goldman
Hurley Miller Family Fund
Tegan Jones and Samuel Mercer
Danielle LaPorte
Krystyn and Al Madrigal
MEP Foundation
Seth Meyers
Nancy E. Barton Foundation
Conan O’Brien
Pixar Animation Studios
Shear Comfort
Patrick F. and Sarah L. Spears
The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education
Walt Disney Studios
Yelp
$1,000+
1492 Pictures
Hilary Angelo
Philip and Daniele Barach
Matthew Barbabella and Stephanie Cha
Benjamin Blacker and Nerdist Writers Panels
Blastoff Comics
Brookfield Property Partners
Anne Carroll
Alison Cotter
Ted Coyne and Karen Bedrosian Coyne
Cresa Los Angeles
Brian Davies
Anand Devarajan
Callie Enlow
Samantha Ettus
Evoke
Langdon Ferguson
Full Frontal, LLC
Holly and Ryan Gaglio
Google
David Goyer
Greater Echo Park Elysian
Neighborhood Council
Chris Hardwick
Christopher Harris
Aldis Hodge
Claire Hoffman and Ben Goldhirsh
Heather Hudoba
Gale Anne Hurd
Marc Evan Jackson and Beth Hagenlocker
John. F. Welch, Jr. Foundation
Katherine Joyce
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Jeff Kinney
Keith Kirk
Susan Ko
Nick Kroll
Greg Kurstin
Gayle Lassen
Thomas Lennon
Joshua Ludmir
Aaron Lyons
Suzanne Maillard
Trey Many
Mary K. and Daniel M. Kelly
Family Foundation
Suzanne McRae
Rebecca McTavish and Jason Woliner
Hillary Mendelsohn
Mohawk Bend
Andy Molnar
Morgan Lewis
B.J. Novak
Jesse Novak
Rosie O’Donnell
Paramount Pictures
Allyson Pfeifer
Keri and Marvin Putnam
Jeremy Railton
Renee Ridgeley
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
David Rocklin and Nina Savelle-Rocklin
Jonathan Schroeder
Shapiro Family Foundation
Brad Simpson and Jocelyn
Hayes-Simpson
Naomi Sobel and Becky Silverstein
Barbara and John St. Thomas
Joel Stein
Hollie Stenson and Paul Keister
Eric Stonestreet
Danny Sullivan
Brian Sumers and Katie Murphy
The Eisner Foundation
The Last Bookstore
Patrick Townzen
Brian Vaughan and Ruth McKee
Debra Vilinsky and Michael
Sopher
Jon Wax
Nick and Stephanie Wechsler
Shana Weiss and John Silva
Michael Weithorn
Christopher Weitz
Nora and Peter Wendel
$500+
Jane Anderson and Tess Ayers
Ashlyn Anstee
John Baird
Georgina Balian
Kim Barnaby
Ali Bell
Aimee Bender
Julie Bowen
Monique Caulfield
Greg Collins
Stephanie Courtney
Chad and Stacy DePue
Paul Dooley and Winnie
Holzman
Kurt Eggert
Deborah Eisenstadt
Brian Flaherty
Jill Gillett
Dan Goor
Jay Gordon
Laura Hertzfeld
Souris Hong
Matthew Hsu
IBM Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign
Amanda and Rick Jaffa
Ken Jeong
Lirona Kadosh and Ethan Goldstine
Leonard Kreutner
Jennifer Laird
Linda Lamontagne
Jessica and Alan Lee
Jonathan Liebman
Joe Lo Truglio
Peter Mattei
Tim Meadows
Barbara Meyer
Thomas Moore
John Mulaney
Deborah Newmyer
Susan Nichols and Dick Steinbach
Bob and Naomi Odenkirk
Kent Osbourne
Monique Perez
PFFR
Shira Piven and Adam McKay
Melissa Ray
Ann Reinhart
Eileen Roggin-Shields and Kevin Shields
Christopher Sacca
Jeremy Schoenherr
Ellen Seiden
Abby Sher
Sam Sheridan
Anna Short
Lainie Sorkin
Soul Pancake
J. Ryan Stradal
Cynthia Sweeney
Maurissa Tancharoen
TBWA\CHIAT\DAY
Peter Tolan
Trulove Post
Alison Turner and Lou Matthews
Andrew Kevin Walker
Jeremy Weinstein
Vivien Weisman
Casey Wilson
Al Yankovic
$250+
Anonymous
Minhal Baig
Robin Bakay
John Baker
Isaac Barinholtz
Eric and Heidi Brooks
Andrew Cheng
Carolyn Chuang
Joseph Cole
Sandra and Matt Cormody
Culver City High School
Alexandrea Douglas
Christopher Downey
Dorothy Fortenberry
Laura Geffen
Asher Goldstein
Daniel Greenberg
Robert Gregg
Nancy Gubin
Todd Hawkins
Blake Hazard
Jeffrey Hirschman and Rhonda Rosales
Hot Machine
Ola Iko
Alex Jeffries
Keegan-Michael Key
KPMG
Nicholas Kraft
Andrew Laurich
John Leckie
Aaron Lee
Maren Levinson
Linda Lichter and Norman Marck
Steven Lichtman
Barbara and Wood Lockhart
Brett Loncar
Nathan Melsted
Rebekah Meyer
Netflix
Shane Nickerson
Jack O’Brien
Catherine O’Sullivan
Charity O’Sullivan
Dan Pasternack
Jason Peart
Philippe Perebinossoff
Tara Power
Nicole Rice and David Malki
Elizabeth Romaine
Gail Roque
Pam Rotberg and Mike Booth
Vicki Ruiz and Victor Becerra
Tamar Sagher
Theresa Sanchez
Linda Siversten
Anna So
Caissie St. Onge
Lindsay Sturman
Colin Summers and Nell Scovell
Ellen Svaco
James Swanwick
The MacArthur Foundation
Gabriella Thomas
Patricia Tierney
Jennifer Tivang
Mark Tobin
Aisha Tyler
Kenneth Viste
Sally Willcox
Ted Wilm
Eric Zee
ZogSports
$100+
G. A. David
Leslie Abbott
James and Dianne Lonergan
Jonathan Albano
Vivian Alberts
Eric Anderson
Anonymous
Antioch University
Scott Armstrong
Luis and Elena Arquillos
Michael Aubry
Lilian Balasanian
Sara Michealene Ball
Erin Ballew
Elizabeth Baquet
Barnes & Noble
Katherine Bedrosian
Ann Marie Bedtke
Jennie Bedusa
Matthew Belknap
Rachele Benloulou
Dana Besnoy
Barbara Bestor
Michelle Biloon
Peter Blake
Michael Blake
Dennis Blocker
Melinda Blum
Linwood Boomer
Maya Booth
Mary Clare Bourjaily
Doreen and Stuart Braverman-Rudnick
Noel Bright
Brent Bushnell
Carmen Campeas
Mark Cappelletty
Kelli Cardiff
Adam Carolla
Michael Caswell
Keith Cavanaugh
Margo Chadwick
Corey Chan
Rana Cho and Matt Small
Joanna Cohen
Kathleen Conroy
Amy Cotteleer
Cotton & Flax
Samuel Couch
Walter Cox
Jon Cryer
Lindsay Crystal
Brett Dalton
Andrew Daly
Cheryl Daniels and James Eskilson
Phyllis Datre
David-Michel Davies
Patrick Davis
Micah Dedmon
Erin Grey Delisle
Wendy Dembo
Anna DeRoy
Cara DiPaolo
Kerris Dorsey
Vera Duffy
Gerard Duggan
Sean Dunlop
Erik Ebert
Tamra Edwards
Billy Eichner
Bonnie Ellman
Odin Erickson
Seamus Fahey
Nicole Falls
Blake Fawley
Matthew Federman
Jonathan Fener
Michael Fioravanti
Mickey Fisher
Robert Fox
Seth Frank
Jessica Furr
Whitney Galitz
Christine and Henry Gan
James Gavin
Roxane Gay
Benjamin Anton Gigli
George Gilligan
Paul Gilmartin
Gimlet Media
Tara Goedjen
Laurie Goldberg
Joshua Goldsmith
Robin Goldstein
Janet and William N. Goodhue
Tanya Goodman
Nancy Graham
Francesca Greggs
Jonathan Groff
Peter Grosz
Brie Grousbeck
Christopher Hagan
Michael Hagler and Susan Littenberg
Alexander Halaby
David Handelman
Cathy and Thomas Hanson
Doug Happel
James Harrelson
Abigail Harris
Jeffrey Hartline
Christopher Hatfield
Phil Hay
Eleanor Hazard
Jon C. and Jo M. Healey
Christina Heisser
Heather Henderson
Kirk Herlitz
Stephanie Hernstadt
Kaitlyn Holmlund
Hyunji Hong
Sara and Larry Hyman
Third Ivy
S. Morgan Jeffries
William Jensen
Carrie Johnson
Marisa and R. Greg Johnston
Elizabeth Kane
Timothy Kan
Benjamin Kasulke
Matthew Keadle
Thomas Keane
Catherine Kerr
Nancy Keystone
Laurie Kilmartin
Mary-Suzanne King
Becky Kirsch
Whitney Kisling
Laura Kittleson
Julie Klausner
Jeremy Klein
Jennifer Klem
Bianca Ko
Jay Kogen
Jonathan Kuhn
Kung Fu Monkey
Bruce Labbate
Timothy Landon
Lindsay Larris
Ian Larsen
Pete Lee
Meghan Leon
Jeffrey Lindsey
Joannza Lo
Robin Lockett
Sara Loncka
David Loughnot
John Lyons
Paul Malmont
Julia Markiewicz
Mark McConville
Kevin McGreevy
Cameron McNall and Margaret Reeve
Anne McNally
Mary McNurlen
Nancy Merritt
Michael Mignola
Carina Miller
James Miller and Cheryl Nakao-Miller
Christopher Milliner
Robert Minelli
Nell Minow
Eugene Mirman
David Misch
James Monahan
Lani Monos
Marc Morgenstern and Louise Tutelian Morgenstern
David Morse and Merete
Rasmussen
MullenLowe
Thomas and Kimberly Murtaugh
Adam Muto
Zachary Myers
Shauna Nep and Jacob Medjuk
Melissa Nolan
Tig Notaro
Ade Nurasih
Conrad Nussbaum
Erin O’Connor
E. Martin Olson
John and Lisa Orman
Michael Palmer
Iva-Marie Palmer
Norma and Tony Panoringan
Susan Parker
John Peterson and Margaret Gordon
Jay Phelan
Keith Phipps
Robert and Delia Pierson
Larry Pool
Matt Price
Sally Probasco
Dan Pulver
Adam Raspler
David Rath
James Reichwein
Rick Remender
Sarah and Donald Rice
Frank Rich
Alexander Richanbach
Patrick Ridings
Ryan Ridley
Jennifer Rigney
Shellie Riley
Brian Ronge
Laura Rosof
Gary Rudoren
Richard Rushfield
Stephanie Sacker
Patricia Salvaty
Spencer Sands
Amy Savagian
Robin Schiff
Rob Schrab
Ben Schwartz
Jeffrey Schwartz and
Donna Middlehurst
Timothy Simons
David Slack
George Smith
Michele Spears
Laura Steinel
Donald Stemes
Brian Stern
Bradley Stevens
Denise Stockton
Kyle Stout
Lydia Sullivan and Daniel Eckroad
Superego
John Susoeff
Phillip Tate
Sarah Taylor
Thrivent Choice
Erin Toerner
Elizabeth Tynes Netto
Wendy VanLandingham
Michael Vasko
Reeb Venners
Sasha Verma
Mari Ann Viray-Galicinao
Liz Vogel
Joshua Weinstein
Daniel Wilbur
Sue Wohlford
Chris Wojcieszyn
Jamie Wolf
Luka Yovetich
Nicholas Zacharczuk
John Zellers
IN-KIND & PRO-BONO SUPPORT
AmeriCorps VISTA Amoeba
Cacao Mexicatessen
Cole Haan
Reuben Cox
Rochelle Goodman
Headspace
ITAL/C
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Meltdown Comics
Morgan Lewis
Mykes Cafe Inc.
Sandra Nelson
Platine Sweets & Savories
Michael Reyes
Scout Notebooks
Todd Searl
Paula Sherrin
Team One Advertising
Trader Joe’s Silverlake verynice And thousands of volunteers!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Henry Chase
Matthew Cherniss
Dave Eggers, Emeritus
Terena Thyne Eisner
Jodie Evans
Scott Ginsburg
Rebecca Goldman
DeAnna Gravillis
Terri Hernandez Rosales
Claire Hoffman
Christine Jaroush
Susan Ko
Louis Lucido
Krystyn Madrigal
STAFF
Joel Arquillos Executive Director
Carolyn Gan Development Director
Kristin Lorey Director of Operations
Marisa Urrutia Gedney Director of In-Schools Programs & College Access
Vickie Vértiz Site Director, Mar Vista
Lauren Humphrey Volunteer Manager, Mar Vista
LaTesha Adolphus In-Schools Program Coordinator
Mariesa Arrañaga Kubasek Volunteer Coordinator, Echo Park
Alejandra Castillo Program Coordinator, Mar Vista
Mike Dunbar Programs Coordinator, Mar Vista
ADVISORY BOARD
J.J. Abrams
Judd Apatow
Miguel Arteta
Mac Barnett
Steve Barr
Joshuah Bearman
Father Greg Boyle, S.J.
Stefan G. Bucher
Mark Flanagan
Ben Goldhirsh
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein
Nicole Holofcener
Spike Jonze
Miranda July
Catherine Keener
Keith Knight
Rebecca Escoto Program Coordinator, Mar Vista
Pedro Estrada Program Coordinator, Echo Park
Carinne Mangold Time Travel Mart Store Coordinator
Kenny Ng Programs Coordinator, Echo Park
Emmanuel Portillo Programs Coordinator, Echo Park
T Sarmina Writers’ Room Coordinator, Manual Arts High School
Shawn Silver Events Coordinator
Rachel Mendelsohn Designer
AMERICORPS VISTA MEMBERS
Raquel Olvera Communications & Marketing Assistant
Michael Reyes Volunteer Outreach & Retention Assistant
Al Madrigal
Tara Roth
Katie McGrath
R. Scott Mitchell
Lani Monos
B.J. Novak
Jane Patterson
Keri Putnam
Sylvie Rabineau
Sonja Rasula
Luis J. Rodriguez
Brad Simpson
J. Ryan Stradal
Sarah Vowell
Sally Willcox
826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. 826LA’s services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
