October Newsletter
Fall has been full of writing at 826 MSP!
Now that the school year is off and running, October has been filled-to-the-brim for 826 MSP and the young authors we serve! As part of the Great College Essay Project with our partners throughout the 826 National network, 826 MSP staff, 11 volunteers, and 2 school counselors helped more than 40 students prepare their college essays, personal statements, and scholarship applications at South High School on October 29th.
To quote one student, "I got more ideas for my essay, and I feel comfortable to write my essay now." Sarah, an 826 MSP volunteer, explained, "I felt so honored that the students would share their work with me, which can be so vulnerable." Thanks to all who helped make College Essay Day such a success, including our generous in-kind food donors, Pizza Luce and Seward Co-op!
Thanks to an awesome collaboration with Cartoon Network and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, our partners across the 826 network celebrated National Bullying Prevention month with tons of inclusion-themed writing this October. One of 826 MSP's students, Salim, was even featured in 826 National's list of 10 tips for a more welcoming classroom! Read our blog to learn more about this partnership, and make sure to #IncludeSomeone every month of the year!
826 MSP's first Books for Breakfast event was a huge success! Almost 200 people attended, and we were all amazed to hear the young authors of Indigenous Originated: Walking in Two Worlds read both previously-published and brand-new pieces, demonstrating the lasting power of our Young Authors' Book Project program. We also enjoyed a hilarious and heartfelt talk from our special guest, Nora McInerny! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our attendees, we raised more than $30,000 in support of our Young Authors' Book Project and Writers' Room programs at South High School!
As October comes to a close, we are excited to announce a special event that's taking place on Give to the Max Day this November 14th! La Doña Cervecería and Sic Semper Serpent Books have joined forces for a two-in-one Beer + Book Release event to benefit 826 MSP's young authors. Mark your calendars and check out all the upcoming events in November!
See you soon!
-The 826 MSP Crew
Student Spotlight
Our Storytelling and Bookmaking Field Trips are going swimmingly! The book pictured above traces an epic battle between antagonist, Black Demon Bird, protagonist, Mr. Pizzalover, and emerging hero, Marshmallow Mike who "can feel justice flowing through his veins!" Thanks to the third graders at Moreland Elementary for creating such a riveting tale.
Check out this field trip feedback from students across the Twin Cities who have visited us this fall:
I want to make more stories!
I would come back every day, but I have school.
This is a nice cool field trip, and everyone is awesome.
Share this awesome opportunity for a literary experience with 2nd - 4th grade Twin Cities teachers you know!
Upcoming Events
New Volunteer Orientation on November 4th
Young Authors' Book Project begins at South High on November 5th
Words on a Line youth writing workshop on November 9th
New Volunteer Orientation on November 11th
Beer + Book Release Benefitting 826 MSP on November 14th
Donate to 826 MSP for Give to the Max Day on November 14th
New Volunteer Orientation on November 20th
Supporter Spotlight
From the bottom of our hearts and the Lost Ocean of Minnesota, thank you to everyone who donated to 826 MSP this month, including our Cuttlefish Society monthly donors and everyone who donated to Books for Breakfast and our Back to School campaign!
Additional thanks to all volunteers for giving of your time and hearts—we truly could not do this work without you!
Our programs are made possible by community members like you. Give a gift today!