826LA Youth Writing Programs

826LA Youth Writing Programs offers free programs for students ages 6 to 18. Activities include after-school tutoring in all subjects, workshops in flash fiction and playwriting, field trips to writing labs, one-on-one writing support in schools, college and scholarship application guidance, and help for English language learners and student publications.

At a glance

• Ages: 6–18 years old
• General schedule: 826LA provides free programs for students ages 6-18, including after-school tutoring, evening and weekend workshops, in-school programs, field trips, college access, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.

About the provider

826LA says it is dedicated to unlocking and cultivating the creative power of writing for students ages 6 to 18, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. It is celebrating 20 years of storytelling, creativity, and community. 826LA serves over 7,000 students across Los Angeles each year through two writing labs in Mar Vista and Echo Park, and volunteers contribute more than 5,000 hours each year. It prioritizes partnerships with Title 1 Schools and engagement with historically marginalized populations.

• After School Tutoring — 5-11 and teen students · Mon-Thu 4:00-6:00 pm; Tue and Thu 6:00-8:30 pm · Free individual homework help and tutoring in all subjects; younger students ages 5-11 meet Mon-Thu 4:00-6:00 pm, and teen students meet Tue and Thu 6:00-8:30 pm.
• Field Trips with 826LA — Public school students visit writing labs for a morning of creativity to explore imagination and hone writing skills.
• Workshops — Students work with artists, writers, and professionals on writing skills across subjects like flash fiction and playwriting.
• In-Schools and Writers’ Rooms — Trained volunteers go into under-resourced public schools to provide one-on-one writing support.
• College and Career Access — One-on-one guidance for college and scholarship applications.
• Black Writers Initiative — Launched in 2022 to increase the number of Black and African American students in programming by 550 over three years.
• Barnacle's Bookworms — 7-12 · Week-long workshops in June and July; weekly workshops in six-week cycles during the school year · Year-round literacy program with one-on-one support from a reading buddy, engaging literacy activities, and hands-on creative projects.
• Write On! Summer Camp
• Young Authors Book Project
• Young Authors Podcast

826LA prioritizes partnerships with Title 1 Schools, engagement with historically marginalized populations, and training and deploying community-based volunteers. It is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and states it will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, immigration status, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability.

What families say

“One of the most memorable parts of our journey with 826LA was the amount of support and care the staff had with my students. The students received their own copies of the book they created at the end of the trip; one of my students was so excited, they began explaining all their ideas for a fitting cover art for that story.” — Hanna Jee, Teacher at Katherine Johnson STEM Academy

“My students were overjoyed when they received the books they wrote in class with leadership from all of the 826 wonderful leaders. Each child’s individual ending was included at the end and 826’s professional illustrator created the most beautiful drawings to accompany students’ stories.” — Jennifer Hume Teacher at Aldama Elementary School

“My daughter just came home from her afterschool program, and LOVED it. Seriously, she didn’t take a breath for 20 minutes describing it to us, she had so much fun!” — 826LA Parent

Last updated October 5, 2026.