826 Boston

05/22/2026

We are hiring!

Writers' Room Program Assistant
826 Boston seeks a dynamic, communicative, and flexible individual to serve as the Writers’ Room Program Assistant at Boston International Newcomers Academy (BINcA). We are seeking a candidate who can ensure reliable, robust support for students while also building on the current strengths of the BINcA Writers’ Room Team, including engaging students in meaningful writing and leadership opportunities after school, supporting students’ social-emotional development, and partnering with teachers to enhance the writing instruction in their classrooms.

Development Assistant
826 Boston’s Development Assistant will be a key support for 826 Boston’s Development and Communications team. The Development Assistant will implement our signature peer-to-peer fundraising event—the Half Half Half Half Half Marathon—while supporting donor stewardship and team operations. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on managing logistics, enjoys creative problem-solving, and is excited about inspiring donor support through events, thoughtful communication, and efficient systems. The ideal candidate is a fast learner, a detail-oriented team player with strong communication and project management skills.

Know candidates who would be great for these positions? Please ask them to apply here: https://826boston.org/get-involved/join-our-team/

05/20/2026

Thank you to alumna Ashley Ochoa, LMT for speaking at the Boston City Council! A transcript:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today about the importance and impact that programs like 826 Boston have on youth like me. 826 Boston is a writing, tutoring, and publishing organization that provides in-school and out-of-school programs to Boston students. My experience with this program has had a lasting impact on my academic journey and personal growth.

As someone who is hard of hearing, learning has not always come easily to me. I needed extra support and encouragement in order to fully build confidence in myself and my abilities. Having a program like 826 Boston made a huge difference in my life.

Through the after-school program, I received academic support and mentorship I needed to succeed. The staff and tutors created an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and building important academic and life skills.

One of the biggest ways 826 Boston helped me was through writing. Before joining, I did not always feel confident expressing myself. But through support and encouragement, I strengthened my writing skills and found my voice.

I had three short stories published, along with two poems, one in English and one in Spanish, before even starting middle school. Those accomplishments meant so much because they showed me that my ideas and voice matter.

826 Boston gave me opportunities I never imagined I would have.

826 Boston's programs are important because many students do not receive enough academic support in school. Every student learns differently, and students need guidance and a safe space where they can grow. 826 Boston provides that support to more than 3,800 Boston students every year.

It does more than help students with homework. It helps students discover themselves through a creative safe space. It creates opportunities for students who may otherwise struggle silently or feel overlooked. That’s why 826 Boston was awarded by the City of Boston with its “Youth Organization of the Year” award by Mayor Wu and the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA). They were also honored as one of Boston Globe Media’s 2025 Bostonians of the Year.

These programs rely on funding and support from different departments within the City of Boston, such as the Office of Early Childhood Education, the Office of Arts and Culture, and the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement. That funding helps make these programs, mentorship opportunities, student employment and publications possible. Without that support, students like me wouldn't have the opportunity to publish our writing, share our stories, and build confidence in our voices at such a young age.

I am standing here today not only as a former student, but as proof of the impact this program can have. Now, as a member of the alumni board, I want to help ensure future students have access to the same support and opportunities that helped shape my life.

05/19/2026

A game show, a mysterious suitcase, and a spooky student story—all before 9 AM? That's what last week's Books for Breakfast, our signature breakfast benefit, had in store. Thank you to everyone who supported the event. We hope Zayd’s story about Betty the Yeti stayed with you long after breakfast and that Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) brought a little extra laughter to your morning.

So far, our guests and sponsors helped raise $180,000 for 826 Boston’s youth writing, tutoring and publishing programs, which are offered for free to more than 3,800 students. That's nearly 25,000 hours of in-school and out-of-school programming each year!

As our Executive Director Corey Yarbrough said at the event, “Stories are powerful tools for building a better world. Our stories have the power to cultivate inner strength, educate, spread humanity, build movements, dismantle oppressive systems, and reshape history.”

We have a little way to go to reach our goal of $210,000. There's still time to give and help us hit our goal!

There are many ways to give, including:

• Make an online donation at https://give.826boston.org/give/727700/ #!/donation/checkout

• Recommend a grant through your donor-advised fund (DAF). Our EIN number is 20-8065915.

• Donate appreciated stock, securities, through an IRA or other retirement plan assets

• Ask your employer about a matching gift: https://www.charitynavigator.org/donor-basics/giving-101/employee-match-programs/?bay=content.view&cpid=1799

Thank you to all of our sponsors!

HMH Education, Eastern Bank, Pubmark by BookBub, Boston University's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Eversource Energy, Fenway Health, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Northeastern Community Service & Civic Engagement, McCarthy Bouley Barry + Morgan, P.C., Goodwin Procter, The Boston Globe, Boston Harbor Hotel, McSweeney's, and AE Events!

Thank you again for celebrating the power of storytelling and for lifting up the voices of 826 Boston students. We feel so lucky to have a community we can always count on.

See more photos at http://826boston.org and in album below!

Books for Breakfast is 826 Boston’s jam-packed breakfast fundraiser. In addition to showcasing the talented writing of 826 Boston students, the event will feature author, Helen Elaine Lee.

05/19/2026

05/18/2026

Thank you to Boston Public Library's Roxbury Book Fair for having us on Saturday! Rasheeda hosted a great workshop inspired by Sei Shōnagon's "The Pillow Book," where attendees learned how to use their everyday experiences to create a personal keepsake. Using Zuihitsu, a non-traditional Japanese form of writing (often related to rambling), attendees were encouraged to do just that and explore the many ways our inner thoughts, societal critiques, or even what brings us random joy can be collected to make profound forms of creative writing. Thank you to everyone who who stopped by our table to visit Aminah and Catherine, too!

05/14/2026

A game show, a mysterious suitcase, and a spooky student story—all before 9 AM? That's what Books for Breakfast, our signature breakfast benefit, had in store yesterday morning!

Thank you to everyone who supported the event. So far, you helped raise $170,000 for 826 Boston’s youth writing, tutoring and publishing programs, which are offered for free to more than 3,800 students. That's nearly 25,000 hours of in-school and out-of-school programming each year!

As our Executive Director Corey Yarbrough said, “Stories are powerful tools for building a better world. Our stories have the power to cultivate inner strength, educate, spread humanity, build movements, dismantle oppressive systems, and reshape history.”

We have a little way to go to reach our goal of $210,000. There's still time to give and help us hit our goal! There are many ways to give, including:

• Make an online donation at https://give.826boston.org/give/727700/ #!/donation/checkout

• Recommend a grant through your donor-advised fund (DAF). Our EIN number is 20-8065915.

• Donate appreciated stock, securities, through an IRA or other retirement plan assets

• Ask your employer about a matching gift: https://www.charitynavigator.org/donor-basics/giving-101/employee-match-programs/?bay=content.view&cpid=1799

Thank you again for celebrating the power of storytelling and for lifting up the voices of 826 Boston students. We feel so lucky to have a community we can always count on.

Pictured from left: Author Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket), student author Zayd, and author/illustrator Lisa Brown.

Photo: Mike Mejia

05/12/2026

We are seeking volunteers to help high school juniors at Boston Latin Academy on June 2 and 9 to help Boston students with self-advocacy and storytelling.

826 Boston's Volunteer Management Team will provide training ahead of the sessions, which will benefit Boston students and be rewarding for all volunteers!

Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO6bibVO8kz6ftMV9yH_sR5dFCHot2rG9d1FtrCTJz6wdabw/viewform

05/07/2026

826 Boston is seeking a Senior Director of Advancement!

826 Boston seeks a dynamic candidate with a strong command of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles to serve as our next Senior Director of Advancement. The ideal candidate will bring a track record of success and innovation with major fundraising campaigns and a passion for writing and youth leadership development. The ideal candidate is someone who can lead large-scale projects while coordinating the work of others, build and leverage strong networks to cultivate meaningful external relationships, and approach challenges with creativity and speed.

The Senior Director of Advancement will manage at least three direct reports and oversee the organization’s entire Development and Communications department. The Senior Director of Advancement will also serve on the organization’s senior management team, contributing to organizational decision-making and vision-setting.

See full details and apply at 826boston.org/jobs

05/06/2026

Just one more week until Books for Breakfast, our jam-packed morning fundraiser, bringing together more than 150 leaders, philanthropists, politicians, educators, writers, and supporters for an inspiring morning of stories, creativity, and connection.

Our featured speakers will be author Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) and illustrator, writer, and cartoonist Lisa Brown!

Funds raised support 826 Boston’s free writing, tutoring, and publishing programs that are offered to more than 3,500 Boston students at no cost to them.

Daniel Handler is the author of seven novels, including Why We Broke Up, All The Dirty Parts, Bottle Grove, and, most recently, a memoir, And Then? And Then? What Else? As Lemony Snicket, he is the author of far too many books for children, including Poison for Breakfast, the four-volume All The Wrong Questions, and the thirteen-volume A Series of Unfortunate Events, which has been adapted for screen and television. He lives in San Francisco with the illustrator Lisa Brown, to whom he is married and with whom he has collaborated on several books and one child.

Lisa Brown is a New York Times bestselling illustrator, writer, and cartoonist, whose picture books include The Airport Book, The Hospital Book, and Mummy Cat by Marcus Ewert, as well as Goldfish Ghost and The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming by Lemony Snicket. Her comics include The Phantom Twin, a graphic novel, and Long Story Short, a collection of comic strips. She teaches at the California College of the Arts and chairs the board of 826 Valencia in San Francisco. Her latest picture book is The Moving Book.

Thank you to all of our sponsors!

Loomis Sayles
HMH Education
Eastern Bank / Cambridge Trust
Birch Hill Investment Advisors
Beacon Bank
Eastern Bank
Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Eversource Energy
Fenway Health
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
McCarthy Bouley Barry + Morgan
Northeastern University City and Community Engagement
Pubmark by BookBub
The Boston Globe
McSweeney's
Goodwin Procter
Boston Harbor Hotel
AE Events

There are a few tickets left, but this event will sell out! https://give.826boston.org/event/books-for-breakfast-2026/e727700

05/02/2026

Stop by our (new!) tent at ’ to check out student-authored books and learn about volunteer opportunities in !