News & Events
SnowLoad: New Vol Orientation Postponed
March 5th—
Because of the snow falling from the sky and our ancipation that there may be a rather large amount of it, 826CHI has postponed this afternoon's New Volunteer Orientation. We have rescheduled for THIS Thursday, March 7th from 12:30-2:30pm. An after-School Tutor Training is already scheduled for later that evening (6:30-8:00pm), for those interested in becoming tutors. If you can’t do both, no fear! There will be other opportunities to train for this program in the upcoming weeks.
“An Elevator with Different Floors” Chapbook Release Party!
February 7th—
Last Thursday, we packed our center with nearly 50 supportive friends, volunteers, and parents as After-School Tutoring students read from 2013's first chapbook, An Elevator with Different Floors. The chapbook stories detail the (mis)adventures of Kait Steele and Patrick Shaffner, two of 826CHI's beloved former staff members. To view pictures from the party, head over to our Facebook.
The chapbook features a stellar introduction from rising literary star Patrick Somerville and cover art by the incomparable Aaron Renier. Another enormous thank-you goes out to the night's special guest: Chicago native and former NFL star Cecil Martin, whose inspiring speech energized and encouraged both the students and 826 staff.
Jocelyn O's story, "A Jumpy Situation," has been added to our Writing Gallery. You can pick up your copy of "An Elevator with Different Floors" in The Boring Store today!
Guts & Glory: Live Lit for the Lionhearted
January 16th—
Guts & Glory: Live Lit for the Lionhearted, (brought to you by Essay Fiesta creator Keith Ecker and blogger Samantha Irby) is a monthly live lit showcase that takes place every third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at Powell's Bookstore in Lincoln Square. The showcase features the boldest storytellers in Chicago and encourages performers to take creative and personal risks in their writing. Each show is carefully curated, with an eye toward diversity of perspectives and voices. Donations are collected with 100 percent of all contributions split evenly between One Tail at a Time and 826CHI.
January 16th’s lineup:
• Neo-Futurist Dina Marie Walters
• Solo in the 2nd City producer Carly Oishi
• Comedian and actor Whit Nelson
• Performer Jeff Miller
• Writer Jill Neumann
Essay Fiesta!
January 21st—
On the third Monday of each month, storytellers and performers from across Chicago gather at The Book Cellar for Essay Fiesta, an evening of first-person, non-fiction essays and charity. In 2009, after comedians/founders Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon concluded that “Chicago needed a storytelling series that provided a platform for a cross-discipline of artists to share funny, poignant and thought-provoking stories from their lives," Essay Fiesta was born. The event itself is free, but the proceeds from each night's raffle come straight back to 826CHI! Storytelling begins at 7pm-- come early to snag a seat.
2012 Annual Appeal Underway
November 28th—
This is a key piece to our yearly fundraising, and a moment when we ask our supporters and followers to dig deep. A large portion of our operating budget comes from this appeal, so please follow this link to our DONATE page and consider a gift this holiday season. We couldn't do any of this without your amazing support!
“A Bubble With a Password” is Released
November 15th—
Thursday's chapbook reading and community dinner was phenomenal--more than 80 friends, students, families, volunteers and teachers joined us for the most gigantic potluck feast in the history of mankind...or at least 826CHI!!!
With a cover designed by our very own Kendra Curry, "A Bubble With a Password" is filled with our after-school tutoring students' "I Wish" stories and their perceptions of election season madness.
Stop by The Boring Store and pick up a copy today!
