826 MSP
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Mission Statement
826 MSP empowers underserved K-12 students to think creatively, write effectively, and succeed academically alongside a community of caring volunteers.
About This Cause
CHALLENGE: Systemic racism is highly entrenched in our societies and educational institutions, and, as a result, there is inequitable access to education, or an “opportunity gap” between BIPOC students and their White peers. Minnesota's opportunity gap is one of the worst in the nation, and this disparity has major implications for Minnesota’s youth and families and for the future of our state’s workforce. OUR SOLUTION: 826 MSP empowers diverse communities of K-12 writers in the Twin Cities with free in-school and out-of-school academic and leadership support, writing enrichment, and publishing opportunities. As part of an ecosystem of organizations working to dismantle the systemic racism which perpetuates opportunity gaps, 826 MSP empowers historically marginalized youth to find and fine-tune their voices as writers, artists, and leaders. We are the ninth chapter of the acclaimed 826 National network of youth writing centers, allowing us to amplify the voices of Twin Cities youth on a national scale and collaborate with writing communities across the United States. PROGRAMS AND IMPACT: Since opening in 2009, we have served more than 9,000 young authors in schools, on-site at our youth writing center, at community-based sites, and through distance learning. All of our programs are free of charge and include... After-School Writing Lab Open Monday-Thursday in-person or virtually for help on K-12 homework and creative writing which leads to publication Connects volunteer tutors one-to-one or one-to-some for individualized tutoring and support Two chapbooks of creative writing from ASWL’s young authors published annually Young Authors’ Book Project 826 MSP partners with a different school annually to professionally publish a student anthology. A local author works with the class during the writing process and writes the book’s foreword. Volunteers work in small groups, twice a week throughout the school year. “My students are becoming more fluent writers with increased skills in mechanics and vocabulary. The best thing they get from this is a real love of writing.” -YABP Partner Teacher Writers’ Room at South High School in Minneapolis Students and faculty receive dedicated writing support from 826 MSP staff and volunteers through in-class tutoring, drop-in writing consultations, and the hosting of workshops, events, and author visits. This is a responsive space, pivoting in the 19-20 school year to become 100% virtual and to provide healing spaces for students in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Young Authors’ Council This is a paid publishing, leadership, and advisory opportunity for students in grades 6 - 12. Selected students will write creatively, serve as an editorial board for an annual publication, and connect with literary talent, civic leaders, and 826 MSP board members. Field Trips and Distance Learning Supports We offer in-person and virtual Storytelling and Bookmaking Field Trips for students in grades 2-5 and Zines for Social Change field trips for students in grade 6 - 8. These are opportunities for students to get excited about writing and leave with their own published book. After piloting our virtual “Outdoors Outspoken” environmental justice themed-curriculum in the summer of 2020, we are prepared to partner with middle schools in the 20-21 school year for dynamic school-day curriculum enhancements featuring BIPOC guest speakers, creative and academic-writing components, to be completed 100% virtually.