by Nicole Erb, Director of Chapters
Stepping into the writing center at 826 Valencia is like stepping into a child’s imagination. This isn’t too surprising, given that the organization’s newest location was in fact inspired by students. Before opening their Tenderloin center, 826 Valencia staff asked students for design ideas. The young authors suggested a treehouse with cozy nooks to read and write in, and 826 made it happen, putting their commitment to creativity and student expression on display for everyone who visits.
On a Friday morning in October, I arrived at the treehouse center to volunteer with the Harvard Club of San Francisco for 826’s signature podcasting field trip. During the field trip, students write original poems and record them as podcasts in onsite professional recording booths. If that sounds ambitious for a single day, it is! But this doesn’t stop the 826 Valencia staff, who use their masterful facilitation skills to ensure that every student feels like a poet and a podcaster by the end of the trip.
Though I left the classroom over three years ago, I am still an English teacher at heart, and working with the 5th grade students at my table that day reminded me how much I love mentoring young writers. Students had the option to write an “I Come From” poem or “If I Were in Charge of the World” poem. Both of my students decided to be in charge of the world, and their words captured the poignant truths that so often only come from our youngest thinkers. These students wrote and spoke about giving everyone a home, protecting the environment, canceling violence, and celebrating kindness. Those who are in charge of the world could learn a thing or two from these poets.
If you would like to hear more of the students’ ideas, you can listen to the 826 Valencia podcasts here.
A national writing organization, 826 offers opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer at their local chapters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, New Orleans, Ann Arbor/Detroit, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston. Check them out at https://826national.org.