“Thatlittlegirl’sdreamsmattered.Notbecauseofher
skincolor,herfacialfeatures,accent,orbackground,but becausesheknewandacceptedeverypartofherself.I finallyunderstood:beingBlackisbeautiful,being Hispanicisbeautiful,beingdifferentisuniquely beautiful.”
Student quote
-Izar B., Uniquely Different from the student publication, The Light We Carry
LETTERFROMTHEEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR
On Thursday, May 7th, we gathered at Playa Studios for our Changing the Story: Stories in the Light celebration, an evening that reflected the heart of our work.
We heard powerful student stories filled with courage, growth, and possibility. We shared amazing laughs, meaningful conversations, and the kind of joy that reminds us what’s possible when young people are given space to shine. Watching our students step confidently into the light was a powerful glimpse of the future we are building together.
While recent government funding cuts present new challenges, they also invite us to lean into what has always sustained this work: community. Our strength has never been dependent on a single funding stream; it has been rooted in people who believe in our mission and in the limitless potential of our students.
The energy in that room made one thing clear: the future of 826LA is bright. With your continued partnership and belief, we will keep growing, adapting, and ensuring that even more students have the opportunity to share their stories boldly and proudly.
Together, we are not just responding to change; we are shaping what comes next.
With gratitude and optimism, Jaime Balboa
Executive Director 826LA
LETTERFROMOURCHANGINGTHESTORYCHAIRS
On May 7, 2026, we gathered at Playa Studios for Changing the Story: Stories in the Light, an evening that reminded us how powerful it is when a community gathers around young voices.
We were moved by student stories that were thoughtful, brave, and full of imagination. The room was alive with laughter, connection, and pride in what 826LA’s student writers are creating and becoming.
Your support made the evening possible and deeply meaningful. At a moment when government funding cuts are reshaping the landscape for programs like ours, your presence affirmed something important: this work is carried forward by people who choose to invest in it.
826LA’s spaces across Los Angeles continue to be places where students are invited to explore their ideas, develop their voices, and see their stories matter. With your partnership, we will continue offering workshops, field trips, mentoring, and publishing opportunities that make that growth possible.
Thank you for being part of this celebration and for standing with 826LA’s students as they write what comes next.
With appreciation, Sarah Rosenwald Varet Liane Katzenstein Ly Event Co-Chairs
CHANGINGTHESTORY2026
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOREES
TITAN OF TEACHING
MS. THERESA BRISSETT-CLAXTON
TIME SCOUT OF THE YEAR TREVOR WORTHY
Special Guest TY
THE 826LA HEART AWARD
SUSAN KO
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOREES
PARTNER IN TIME PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Special Guest TY CONGRATULATIONS TO
OUR HONOREES
CHAMPION OF VOICES
THE GREEN FOUNDATION
826LA’S MISSON
Supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative & expository writing skills.
Our classes and workshops offer a fun, safe, collaborative experience for students to express their imaginations and practice their writing skills—all supported by one-on-one attention.
Write On! After School
A free program for students in grades 3- 6 that focuses on creative writing with added time for homework help. To enroll, students must qualify for free or reduced lunch, or attend a Title I school, and participate in all aspects of the program.
TNT Tutoring
A free program for students in Grades 7 - 12 that focuses on creative writing with added time for homework help. To enroll, students must qualify for free or reduced lunch, or attend a Title I school and participate in all aspects of the program.
Summer Camp
Our two-week summer camp for students ages 7-12 focuses on Playwriting.
Writers Workshops
826LA’s workshops inspire students by connecting them with artists, writers, and professionals to develop their creativity and writing skills across various formats, from flash fiction to AI.
Field Trips
Calling all teachers! Sign your school up for free writing-based field trips. We can also come to you as part of our new Traveling Field Trips initiative. Students brainstorm and write original stories, memoir pieces, or college essays. Students’ work is published online or in a bound book.
In-Schools and Writers’ Rooms
Students receive writing support on campus as they work on personal statements for college and creative projects that accompany the course curriculum. Located at Manual Arts, Roosevelt and Venice High Schools.
826LA at The Hammer
Art + writing = a feast for the imagination. All students are welcome to sign up for our free, in-person workshops at the Hammer Museum.
Black Writers Initaitive
Launched in Spring 2022, our Black Writers Initiative focuses on creating opportunities to support and amplify the voices of Black and African American students in our programs.
Thank You, Sponsors!
Cisca Brouwer
Anna May and Tim Feige
Susan Ko
Kira Snyder and Allen Blue
David and Alison Ullendorff
Karen Van Kirk and Andy Anagnos
Thank You, Sponsors!
THIS PAGE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
David and Alison Ullendorff
Kira Snyder and Allen Blue
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THIS PAGE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY Kingsley Szamet
Shapiro, Slewett, & Kole LLP
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Liane Ly Law
Paramount Pictures
THIS PAGE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
THIS PAGE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY Amazon
Karen Van Kirk and Andy Anagnos
THIS PAGE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
THIS PAGE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
Cisca Brouwer
Anna May and Time Feige
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COMEDIAN
Special Guest TY SPECIAL THANK YOU
COMEDIAN LEONARD ROBINSON
ECHO KELLUM
SPECIAL THANK YOU
PASTA SISTERS
DJ Kid Finesse
COMEDIAN ANDREW LEEDS
Special Guest TY SPECIAL THANK YOU
AUCTIONEER
JIM NYE
We’re the convenience store for time travelers and cater to all of your time travel needs. We’re also the storefront to 826LA where students get help with their creative writing skills. All proceeds from the stores help find the free programs at 826LA.
Board of Directors
Karen Van Kirk
Board President
Sarah Rosenwald Varet
Board Vice President
David Ullendorff
Board Treasurer
Cisca Brouwer
Ben Au
Scott Boxenbaum
Joe Ferencz
Scott Ginsburg
Susan Ko
Joe Ferencz
Jaya Hathaway
Stacey Han Williams
Matt Conway
Mack Jenkins
Liane Katzenstein Ly
Holly Thomas, Emeritus
Dave Eggers, Emeritus
Asociate Board
Ashlyn Anstee
Samantha Chiang
Melissa Clark
Dayna Cobarrubias
Louis Fisher
Sybil Grieb
Nicolette Harutunian
Elena Hurst
Brigid Kelly
Elizabeth Kuelbs
David Michelson
Jordan Rawlins
Nicolas Rossenblum
Wendy Xiao
J.J. Abrams
Judd Apatow
Miguel Arteta
Mac Barnett
Steve Barr
Joshuah Bearman
Amy Brooks
Father Greg Boyle, SJ
Stefan G. Bucher
Mark Flanagan
Advisory Board
Ben Goldhirsh
Rebeccas Goldman
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein
DeAnna Gravillis
Spike Jonze
Miranda July
Catherine Keener
Keith Knight
Al Madrigal
Krystyn Madrigal
Tara Roth
Kathie McGrath
R. Scott Mitchell
Lani Monos
B.J. Novak
Miwa Okumura
Jane Patterson
Keri Putnam
Sylvie Rabineau
Sonja Rasula
Luis J. Rodriguez
Terri Hernandez Rosales
Brad Simpson
J. Ryan Stradal
Natalie Tran
Sarah Vowell
Sally Willcox
Adriana Centeno
Jaime Balboa
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Diego Quevedo
CHIEF OF STAFF
Shani Foster
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Christie Thomas
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Mateo Acosta
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Staff List
Pedro Estrada
PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS
MANAGER, ECHO PARK
Mike Dunbar
PROGRAM & OPERATIONS
MANAGER, MAR VISTA
Carinne Kemp
STORE & GENERAL OPERATIONS
MANAGER
Alma Carrillo
SENIOR MANAGER OF STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Trevor Crown
SENIOR MANAGER OF VOLUNTEER
ASSESSMENT AND INNOVATION
Katie Fiege
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING MANAGER
Cole Montgomery
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Ariadne Makridakis
SENIOR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Ariana Ponce
SENIOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS
COORDINATOR
Arisdeysi Cruz
TUTORING PROGRAM
COORDINATOR
Wendy Beltran
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL
Marco Beltran
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, MANUAL ARTS HIGH SCHOOL
Julia Malinow
IN-SCHOOLS AND TUTORING
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Wilson Swain
CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT
SPECIALIST
Caz Shen
STORE ASSOCIATE
Gabriela Romero
FIELD TRIPS AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
