In Southeast Michigan, an organization operating outside the schoolyard aims to teach students how to write for success and has been doing the job for free since 2005.
Known as 826michigan, the organization is one of nine similarly named programs available across the U.S., and organizers are looking for volunteers — particularly college students who are interested in writing and sharing a little of their time and talent.
Pulitzer prize finalist, publisher, and bestselling author Dave Eggers founded the program in San Francisco, working on a dream to create a connection between the creative writing world and the classroom. Eggers wrote "The Circle," and "A Heartbreaking Work of Astonishing Genius." While students didn’t typically have the resources to see their stories published, Eggers had an idea to change this: Teach young writers that their stories mean something, and then publish those stories.
Eli Sparkman, the volunteer and program coordinator for 826michigan, said the goal locally is to reach families across Washtenaw County no matter their financial situations. One particular program offered by 826 is available to students ages 5-8; called Wee-bots, the young writers-to-be meet at the Whitaker Branch of the Ypsilanti Library every Saturday, from noon to 1 p.m. No fees are required for students to participate.
“It’s kind of like a story time for kids, but afterwards, we hold a workshop where the kids discuss what they read with one another," Sparkman said. "All of our programming is for families, and they’re free to register. However, attendance isn’t mandatory. Instead, we just encourage people to come as much as they can.”
Of course, the event includes encouraging those youngsters to write about what they read, and their experiences.
Wee-bots is also offered in Ann Arbor, inside the 826michigan Robot Shop at 115 E. Liberty St., and in Detroit, inside the Detroit Public Library’s Sherwood Forest branch, 7117 W. Seven Mile Road.
While the programs that 826michigan offers focus primarily on students prior to high school graduation, there are still plenty of opportunities for college students to serve as volunteers.
“It’s an extraordinary experience for volunteers,” Sparkman said. “They’re welcomed into classrooms and get to work one-on-one with kids. It’s an opportunity for people studying anything, because those same kids they’re working with will go on to take on all kinds of majors.”
Volunteers at 826 not only get experience developing their leadership skills, but also get a chance at hands-on work with younger students, making it an accessible avenue for English and education majors before they enter the job field.
“Our volunteers get to learn how to create lessons, and ones they may use in their professional careers," Sparkman said. "We even have opportunities for paid positions for those planning to teach after college, or those looking to make creative writing their job.”
Sparkman, who directs the organization's prospective volunteers, encourages people of all ages to turn an open ear to the imaginations of young kids.
“This work is really important," Sparkman said. "For any college students who want to be more involved in the community and want to hear what young people have to say, it’s worth it.”
After working with both 826michigan staff and volunteers, the writing these students produce is then organized into a novel that showcases each student’s story. The novel is published as an anthology available for purchase. The most recent edition was titled: "The Secret Lives of Frogs," and featured poems by 79 different third graders from University Prep Science & Math Elementary School in Detroit. The book, along with more information on its creation, can be purchased on the website OnwardRobots.com, which is the online store for 826michigan.
Other programs 826michigan offers for free to participants include:
After-School Writing Lab
For ages 8-14, this service offers students a safe space to explore their writing capabilities after school hours. The labs are offered at the Robot Shop in downtown Ann Arbor, 115 E. Liberty St., and at the Ypsilanti District Library's Superior Branch, 1900 N. Harris Road.
Summer Programs
Opportunities are offered during the summer months to help keep students engaged in writing outside of the classroom. More information on the different services available can be found on 826’s website.
826 Digital
For those who might not be able to come to programs in person, 826 offers all of their writing resources online for free.
For those interested in volunteering with 826michigan, or want to stay informed on upcoming events, opportunities, and services, all can be found on the organization's website at: 826michigan.org. Sparkman, 826 Michigan’s volunteer and program coordinator, can be contacted via email at: eli@826michigan.org.
