Formation 2010 | Purpose Education | |
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Type Non-profit organization Headquarters 3333 14th Street NW, Suite M-120, Washington, DC 20010 | ||
826DC is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. It was founded in 2010 as a chapter of 826 National. Their services are structured around an understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. Their store front is Tivoli's Astounding Magic Supply Company. In November 2013, 826DC received the Literacy Award from the Library of Congress.
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Overview
826DC’s programs are modeled after 826 Valencia, the inspiration for the founding of 826 National, which now includes seven chapters throughout the United States, including the Washington, DC chapter. 826 National was co-founded by author Dave Eggers and by veteran educator Ninive Calegari, whose experience as a teacher shaped the 826 model.
Their staff and trained volunteers collaborate with teachers to create project-based learning opportunities that are appropriate for their specific classroom needs and educational goals. 826DC has a storehouse of creative and expository writing workshops and projects that they have tailored for a wide range of classrooms throughout the District.
826DC works closely with teachers to design new writing workshops and long-term projects to suit specific content-areas, special curriculum units, interdisciplinary projects, and after-school programs.
To lend students the one-on-one attention they need to help them thrive as learners, 826DC provides trained tutors for every workshop and project they bring to public schools and community-based organizations in the District.
History
The flagship chapter of 826, 826 Valencia, opened in 2002 at 826 Valencia Street in the Mission District of San Francisco. The original address inspired the name 826 National. It was co-founded by educator Nínive Clements Calegari and author Dave Eggers, who also founded the independent publishing house McSweeney's.
826DC's store front was formerly known as the Museum of Unnatural History until it relocated November 2015.
Tivioli's Astounding Magic Supply Company
Tivioli's Astounding Magic Supply Company bills itself as the only magic store between Raleigh and Maryland. The Magic Store is part of the 826 tradition of operating a novelty store front along with the writing centers. The concept for such stores originated largely out of necessity. The flagship chapter, located at 826 Valencia Street, in San Francisco's Mission District was, and still is, housed in a commercially zoned building. Their pirate store was opened to satisfy both the zoning laws and the founders' sense of humor. With the success of the pirate store, each 826 chapter has subsequently opened its own novelty store. The storefronts help to draw community attention and provide additional income for the non-profit writing centers.
Affiliates
826NYC, 826michigan, 826CHI, 826 Boston, 826LA, 826 Valencia, 826 National