Connecting with 826 Boston this fall

Dear 826 Boston family and friends,

I hope this message finds you well and staying cool. We are reaching out with the latest updates from our team at 826 Boston.

For the safety and protection of our community, 826 Boston will continue to focus exclusively on remote programming through at least December 2020. We arrived at this decision by consulting with our team and board, surveying students, families, teachers, and school leaders, and closely reviewing local, state, and federal guidelines.

Since launching our digital programs in late March, our team has provided more than 680 students with more than 5,000 hours of free writing support. The time and care that our team and volunteers have dedicated to tutoring students have taken on tremendous meaning and purpose in the current crisis. As we continue to navigate the unknowns and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are as committed as ever to providing safe spaces for students to reflect on their hopes, fears, and triumphs. We will continue to survey students, families, and schools in order to customize our virtual services to effectively and compassionately meet the needs of the 826 Boston community. 

We’ll also continue to release student-authored books! The 826 Boston Youth Literary Advisory Board (YLAB) is currently editing their citywide anthology in which students from across the city submitted pieces exploring the topics of self-identity and empowerment during the pandemic. Additionally, the 2020 Young Authors’ Book Project, We Hope You’ll Visit, is set to be released in September. Written by students from the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School, the publication is a guide to Dorchester’s culturally significant landmarks. Authored by the young people who are proud to call Dorchester home, this book offers a counternarrative to the at-times negative portrayals of their neighborhood. Our gratitude extends to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who penned a heartwarming foreword. We’ll let you know when both of these publications are available for purchase.

We hope that you will also join us for several can’t-miss virtual events that are coming up this fall:

• On September 26, join us for everyone’s favorite 0.826-mile race, otherwise known as the Half Half Half Half Half Marathon. Runners will receive weekly playlists, a chance to win prizes, and bibs to wear on race day. We’re also very excited to announce that 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden has signed on to be Grand Marshal for this year’s virtual Half x 5 Marathon. You can join Des and 826 Boston by registering for our city’s greatest shortest race here.
• Mark your calendars for Night of 1,000 Stories on November 19, featuring special guest and New York Times #1 best-selling author of The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas! We hope you’ll join us at our annual gala to celebrate the many incredible stories written by 826 Boston student authors and to help us raise critical funds for 826 Boston’s youth writing and tutoring programs. Click here to save your spot for this unforgettable evening.

If you would like to make a donation to help support these events and 826 Boston’s programming—all offered free to students and their families—you can make a gift here.

We will continue to share news, updates, and student stories on our website and social media channels. If you have any questions, please send us an email. We always love hearing from you.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and stay safe.

Virtually yours,

Jessica Drench
Executive Director, 826 Boston