We Believe

that great leaps in learning can come from one-on-one attention and that building writing skills leads to future success. For our city's youth, 826DC offers these opportunities - right in the heart of the District of Columbia. Make magic happen with us today.

Our Programs

help students of all ages write their own paths forward—and have fun doing it. At risk for a zombie apocalypse? We've got a writing workshop lesson plan for that. Running for Kid President? We can help a student craft her winning platform. From the serious to the silly, we're ready to create with you.

My Life as a Dog/Shark

"I jumped into action, ran into the water, swam over to that person, and bit the jellyfish without getting shocked. Here comes my favorite part, I thought."
Become a Volunteer Donate Today

The Tiger

Nael

Grade 1

The tiger He destroyed his cage Yes YES The tiger is out   Originally published in “They’re Singing a Song in Their Rocket” and “You Will Be Able to Say a Thousand Words”

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Cool Disco Dan

Treseat

Grade 10

In my city, Washington D.C., the buildings that crowd our streets are often colored. They have been, at times, temporarily decorated in the bright colors of Shepard Fairey’s famous stencil of President Obama; or otherwise come to be part of the very fabric of the city – John Bailey’s mural of Marilyn Monroe in Woodley Park comes to mind, as well Byron Pecks’ icon image of Duke Ellington on the True Reformer building overlooking the U-Street corridor.

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Make a Donation Today

A gift of any amount helps make our creative writing programs free for district students.

Support 826DC

Student Publishing

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Publishing young authors is kind of our thing.

After-School Writing Lab

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We want your homework. Seriously.

Field Trips

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Creative and project-based fun.

Writing Workshops

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Free workshops that foster creativity.

Reading All-stars

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Saturday morning reading program.

In-Schools

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Flexible and Teacher-Driven In-School Residencies.

What's New

Featured News, Press and stories from 826DC

Anne’s 826DC Volunteering Experience

Volunteers like Anne help 826DC make magic happen every day! Anne’s longtime commitment to our After-School Writing Lab students, her writing talents as a journalist, and the enduring kindness that she brings to the writing center are all part of what makes this a truly special place.

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Giving November 2018

You don’t have to wait until #GivingTuesday to make a difference! We’re excited to share that all gifts made this #GivingNovember will be matched—up to $15,000—by our generous Board of Directors.

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Writing with Generation Hope

Families from Generation Hope, a DC nonprofit dedicated to setting up teen parents and their children for success, gathered in our writing center just before Halloween to explore self-reflective writing in a comfortable space.

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