MISSION STATEMENT
826NYC 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 belief 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 free 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.
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HISTORY
826NYC is modeled after 826 Valencia, a nonprofit writing lab and tutoring center located in San Francisco's Mission District. Founded by writer Dave Eggers and a group of energetic and passionate volunteers, 826 Valencia opened its doors in April 2002.
826NYC's writing center opened its doors in September 2004. Since then our programs have offered over one thousand students opportunities to improve their writing at our center. Our staff has grown to include 7 employees and over 1,000 volunteers.
826 NATIONAL
826 NATIONAL is essentially an umbrella organization that works toward duplicating the successful 826 Valencia program in youth writing centers across the country. In fact, we are already hard at work. 826NYC (in Park Slope, Brooklyn) opened in September 2004. Currently there are eight 826 chapters across the country, in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, DC. Each chapter provides the same amount and caliber of volunteer-based, free services for students that 826 Valencia in San Francisco has successfully developed. We couldn’t be more excited.
For more information about 826 NATIONAL's progress please visit the following website: 826national.org.
STAFF
Scott Seeley (Executive Director) has worked in various capacities in arts and education for over a decade. Formerly the manager of McSweeney's East Coast office, Scott holds a degree in fine arts and received his masters degree in arts education. [email: scott at 826nyc dot org]
Joan Kim (Education Director) has taught high school English and English as a second language in the US and abroad. Formerly a senior editor with Lightbulb Press, Joan holds a degree in English literature with certification in secondary school education. [email: joan at 826nyc dot org]
Sarah de Tournemire (Development Director), comes to 826NYC with many years as a development and non-profit professional in both the U.S. and internationally. A native of Brooklyn Sarah holds a BA in International Affairs from The American University of Paris, an MPA in non-profit management from New York University, and is a certified fundraising executive. [email: sarah at 826nyc dot org]
Kate Ackerman (Education) has worked in the arts and education fields for the past 10 years. Most recently, she has taught in schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. She holds a BA in English literature from Carleton College and an MA in art education from New York University. [email: kate at 826nyc dot org]
Chris Molnar (Store Manager) started as an intern in 2010 before discovering his calling as a superhero outfitter. In addition to working at the store, he writes fiction, criticism, and poetry. [email: cmolnar at 826nyc dot org]
Chris Roberti (Education) teaches poetry, theater and carpentry to students around the city. He writes and performs sketch comedy and clown. He has also worked at several art museums. Chris has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Muhlenberg College and a Ed.M. in Arts and Education from Harvard. [email: chris at 826nyc dot org]
