June Newsletter
ID: Students from our Writers' Room Advisory Council and Young Authors' Book Project celebrating with an end-of-year movie night at our youth writing center.
Charting a Path Forward
Dear Friend,
This June newsletter marks the end of the 2020–21 school year. During this time, we've all been challenged in ways we never thought possible. Throughout it all, our students have kept writing.
The power of human connection and writing as community building has only intensified. Inspired by our Program Director, Cristeta Boarini, we've kept coming back to this question: "What do we want to keep from this time, and what do we want to leave behind?" We've innovated and adapted continually, and we are so excited to resume in-person learning with our young writers this summer.
With support from the Sheltering Arms Foundation and the Otto Bremer Trust, we are hosting a summer youth writing and literacy camp for students ages 7–12 called Outdoors Outspoken. This program, focused on environmental and racial justice, will give students a space to process and express their ideas on current events. To get back to the hands-on learning we've all missed, our young writers will participate in weekly field trips (the first of which will be to the Growing Lots Urban Farm right across the street from our center!).
As we prepare to share spaces in-person with students again, we could use your help on something. We are requesting food and drink donations (enough for 30 people) of the following:
Juice boxes
Individually packaged chips, crackers, and cookies
Fruit snacks (no gelatin)
Other non-perishable snacks (no pork or peanuts)
You can drop off donations at our youth writing center at 1915 E 22nd St. in Minneapolis on the following days: June 25, June 28, or June 30. You can also email Cristeta to arrange drop-off if those days don't work for you.
Additionally, 826 MSP is looking to the future. We are crafting our strategic plan for the next few years, and input from our community (that's you!) is crucial. We invite you to take a brief survey by July 5th. To honor your time, we are offering a $25 gift card to those who participate.
Thanks for your continued support and generosity!
With gratitude,
the 826 MSP crew
Student Spotlight
One thing we've really missed from being in distance learning this year? Getting to see students' handwriting on paper drafts! We can't wait to start seeing students' words (and doodles!) off-screen again this summer. Check out this throwback piece by Amirah F. on what it means to be a good leader. You can find the published version in our spring 2020 chapbook, "I Bet You Have Something to Say for Your Future".
Program Spotlight
We still have spots open for our summer program for teens, Rise Up & Write. The program starts on July 6, and teens can sign up here!
Upcoming Events
Rain Taxi and 826 MSP are co-hosting a virtual memorial for former board member, Paul Von Drasek on Tuesday, June 29, from 4:30–6 p.m. This will be an opportunity to share stories, memories, and reflections about Paul. RSVP here.
Literacy Power Hour for students ages 5-6 starts on June 28.
Outdoors Outspoken for students ages 7-12 starts on June 28.
826 MSP office is closed July 2 for Independence Day.
Rise Up & Write for students ages 13-18 starts on July 6.
Supporter Spotlight
Thank you to everyone who played and donated to Trivia for Cheaters this year! Thanks to you, we raised more than $8,000 in support of our summer programming. And big congrats to our winning team, (for the third year in a row!) the Pup-pirates of Penzance!