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Make Magic Happen

We Believe

that great leaps in learning can come from one-on-one attention, that building writing skills leads to success, and that young people have important things to say.

Our Programs

help students 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.

Get Involved

with 826DC. From revising sonnets, exploring fractions, and illustrating centaurs to donating and spreading the word about 826DC, there are a ton of ways to help magic happen here.

Letter to an Alien Pen Pal

826DC After-School Writing Lab Students

Dear Geeblegorp, How are you? We are so excited to be your new pen pals from Earth!

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Pine and Willow with the Bullies

Sebastian

Grade 3

In the beginning, there was a little tree called Willow. He lived in a park near a little pond with other trees.

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Make a Donation Today

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

Young Authors' Book Project

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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 andproject-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-School Writing, Editing, and Publishing

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Flexible and Teacher-Driven In-School (or Remote) Residencies.

What's New

Featured News, Press and stories from 826DC

Meet the Staff: Dominique Doonquah

Meet Dominique Doonquah, 826DC’s new School Residency Manager! She has joined the team to lead the much-loved Young Authors’ Book Project (YABP), in addition to running other in-school writing residencies throughout the school year.

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Introducing 826DC’s COVID-19 Safety Policies

826DC is officially reopening for in-person writing adventures this fall! We’re delighted—and determined to do this right.

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Why I Interned at 826DC

My name is Nate Schwartz and I want to tell you why 826DC is such a great place to intern.

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Talking about the Young Authors’ Book Project

Last week, we joined forces with the DC Charter School Alliance and one of our teacher partners from Bridges PCS to talk about the Young Authors’ Book Project (YABP), one of 826DC’s free writing programs!

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A DC Arts Organization to Know

826DC recently featured in a Washington Independent Review of Books story about “area arts organizations every writer (and reader) should know.”

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We’re getting ready for an After-School Writing

We’re getting ready for an After-School Writing Lab chapbook release party this afternoon! The students have been looking forward to this for weeks. 🎉

[Image: Colorful giveaway bags for each of the students sit on a table in the 826DC writing center.]

Genasee, one of the 826DC Educational Programming

Genasee, one of the 826DC Educational Programming Interns this past semester, wrote a blog post about her experience #interning with us!

Check it out at the blog link in our bio.

[Image: Genasee, who is sitting on a rock in nature, turns back to smile at the camera. She has glasses, multiple piercings, and short hair.]

Before Tiny, the time-traveling T-Rex from @826la

Before Tiny, the time-traveling T-Rex from @826la and @timetravelmart, went back to California, they stopped by the 826DC writing center here in #ColumbiaHeights!

They read some books by our students and checked out what our After-School Writing Lab was working on.

It was a pleasure to have you in town, Tiny! We’d say that you should come back any time…but we already know that you will. ⏳🦖💫

P.S. Want to join Tiny in reading these magical books by young local authors? Visit the store link in our bio to find your next read.

#tREXtreks #826Exchange #826LA #826DC #TinyTheDino #YouthVoices #AMagicalTime

[Images: A large inflatable green dinosaur sits at a table and reads an 826DC student-written book, then looks at the agenda for an AWL session, featuring first draft writing and editing.]

☀️ [Image: "In other words, you add brightnes

☀️

[Image: "In other words, you add brightness to my cloudy day." -Tiana, 826DC student, published in "Dear Brain"]

THANK YOU for being so generous with 826DC this #G

THANK YOU for being so generous with 826DC this #GivingNovember and #GivingTuesday. This community helped us raise over $62,400—more than doubling our original goal. With the match, that has turned into nearly $97,500 to sustain 826DC's youth writing and publishing programs!

We're over the moon and just so grateful for the opportunity to make more writing adventures happen with these amazing, insightful, and truly creative young people.

❤️📚📝

[Image: 826DC student illustrations of themselves writing at our programs]

Last spring, @lavendergucci and @sara.aust from @m

Last spring, @lavendergucci and @sara.aust from @mica_gdma created this redesign concept for “Delicious Havoc,” a sold-out book by 826DC students from @capitalcitypcsdc. So cool!

[Images: A white cover with colorful illustrations and lettering, a spread featuring Carla’s recipe for coffee and plantains, and a spread featuring Juanita’s recipe for jerk chicken]

Follow @826dc on Instagram

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