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826 Seattle 

Description

826 Seattle provides tutoring to young people in Seattle in both creative and expository writing, as well as provides afterschool tutoring in all subjects. With the assistance of hundreds of trained volunteer tutors 826 Seattle targets communities of need (although welcomes all students) to support their need for literacy. We believe that in our culture, the ability to communicate effectively in writing opens large doors.

Mission Statement
826 Seattle's mission is to help youth, ages six to 18, improve their creative and expository writing skills, and to help 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.
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826 Seattle
PO Box 30764 
Seattle 
WA
98113-0764 
(206) 725-2625 

Ms. Teri Hein 
Executive Director 

Programs

826 Seattle Programs

Afterschool Tutoring
Four afternoons per week we welcome students to drop in and receive help on any homework, projects or to provide a place for students to read or pursue any studious quests. Additionally we invite them to engage in a variety of enrichment activities and clubs that include supplemental writing help. 826 Seattle addresses a number of community needs with this program: we encourage successful homework completion and literacy in a fun, interactive environment for young people, we connect adult community members with children, and we combat the issue of young people with no productive place to spend their time immediately after school while their parents work. We are especially appreciated by the large immigrant community in our neighborhood.

In-Schools
We send trained volunteers into the schools to support the work of teachers teaching writing in the classroom. It is difficult for any teacher with a full class to appropriately guide, edit and support the learning of each student. Our volunteers help young students develop their thoughts around assignments, help shape stories, review grammar and inspire these young writers.

Field Trips
We invite teachers to bring their classes to us for theatrical writing experiences in our writing lab. Students create stories collaboratively, each adding an original ending. The volunteers who help on these field trips include actors who act out scenes from plays created by the students and artists who make illustrations. Each book is 'published' using our bookbinding machine. The students leave with a lovely book under their arms and the feeling that they are, indeed, writers.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

826 Seattle opened its doors in the fall of 2005. Within two short years we were nominated and won the prestigious Golden Apple Award. This award is given to individuals and programs across the State of Washington that provide outstanding opportunities in education for the children of Washington State.  In November 2011, 826 Seattle was one of twelve organizations in the nation to be awarded the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. This is the foremost youth arts and humanities education award in the United States.  Executive Director Teri Hein and a youth representative travelled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award from First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.

826 Seattle runs on a very lean budget, especially for an organization that assists so many young people. This is thanks to the generosity of hundreds of volunteers as well as our commitment to maintaining a cost-effective program. We are, however, committed to fair wages and health care for our three full-time and eight part-time employees. Our critical need in this time of economic difficulty is simply general support to help us keep doing what we are doing so well.

Evaluation


826 Seattle is a chapter of 826 National and is focused on improving students’ writing skills to encourage self-expression and lay a foundation for future success. Located in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood, 826 supports a significant number of immigrant and low-income families at their tutoring center and have recently expanded their services through in-schools supports and partnerships, all at no cost to students or families.

Collaboration
826 Seattle utilizes partnerships, a network of other sites, board connections and a large base of active volunteers to further its mission and draw attention to its work. Through a partnership with Neighborhood House, 826's writing workshops are brought into the High Point neighborhood. The organization shares best practices with the national office and other locations. Board and national connections have led to collaborations with local hotels and festivals to provide financial support and spread student’s writings.

Accessibility and Cultural Competency
826 Seattle has a strong connection to the refugee and immigrant in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood. Approximately 75 percent of students served have one or more parents who do not speak English as a first language. 800-900 school aged children live at High Point, 60 percent of which speak a language other than English at home.

Financial Health
826 Seattle has seen steady financial growth since it was founded in 2004. The organization has a number of strong funding sources and is able to tap into National 826 for high profile connections and funding resources.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
9/10/2012 $5,000.00support general operating expenses.
6/10/2011 $5,000.00support general operating expenses.
6/10/2011 $10,000.00to support youth writing and after school tutoring programs.
12/10/2008 $15,000.00support general operating expenses.
5/23/2007 $2,500.00provide general support. Chairman's Donor Award 2007 Annual Meeting.
12/27/2006 $100,000.00to support the "826 in the Middle" Hamilton Middle School Project.
6/16/2005 $8,000.00support facility renovation.

Financials

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