Mission Statement

826DC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around our understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

With this in mind we provide drop-in tutoring, field trips, after-school workshops, in-schools tutoring, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications. All of our programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student's power to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in his or her individual voice.

Sep
Upcoming Events

09.15.2010 - September 2010 Volunteer Orientation

10.13.2010 - October 2010 Volunteer Orientation

11.04.2010 - November 2010 Volunteer Orientation


NOTE: Unfortunately, our September, October, and November orientations are FULL. Please check back for later dates.

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» Past Events

Sep
Get Used to the Seats, 826DC’s newest publication, is on sale now. The seniors of Wilson and Cardozo High Schools came together in this poetic, practical high school how-to for freshman about surviving love, bullies, the perils of cheating and much more. Purchase your copy of Get Used to the Seats now.



The cover of The Way We See It: Complete Coverage of the Nation's Capital From the Inside Out is on sale now! Fiction, poetry, essays, and journalism by students at Cardozo High School offer a unique take on one of the most famous but most misunderstood cities in the world. Purchase your copy of The Way We See It today.



Sep
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Sep
Operating Status

826DC (formerly Capitol Letters Writing Center) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation based in the District of Columbia. Our tax ID number is 26-2426166. Find out more about how you can help. Or see a list of things we need. Or see a list of our donors.



Sep
Mailing List

Sign up for our e-mail announcements list to receive updates on our status and upcoming events!

Sep



Two Truths and a Lie

Which of the following statements is false?

A. Last weekend was an absolutely glorious one in Washington, DC - and a bunch of 12-year-olds joined us indoors for a writing workshop anyway!

B. Politics and Prose is a beautiful independent bookstore, coffee shop, and community gathering space on Connecticut Avenue and we are thrilled to be partnering with them.

C. CLWC volunteer Kira Wisniewski once ate a live goldfish.

If you guessed C, you're correct (thank goodness!). Despite the distractions of Memorial Day festivities and abundant sunshine, the die-hard pre-teen members of the Politics & Prose teen book club joined us for a workshop called How to Turn Your Life Into Great Fiction. This was the first in a monthly teen workshops series we will hold at Politics & Prose.

CLWC volunteer Karen Maloy, assisted by 4 others, led the students through a fun warm-up called Two Truths and a Lie. We practiced our poker faces, learned a lot about one another (12-year-old Gaby was born with a 6th finger; volunteer Melissa was hit by a taxi on Friday night; 12-year-old Dylan has a second degree black belt in karate!), and realized our everyday routines and family histories can provide plenty of fodder for great stories. At the end of the workshop, we spent 20 minutes free writing a story based on one of our statements. Participants are invited to bring their finished pieces along to share next month.

And speaking of next month...we'll be at Politics & Prose again on June 29. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for details!

Posted on Sunday June 1, 2008 by Julia S



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