Minneapolis/St. Paul is now home to the ninth chapter in the 826 Network — and we can’t wait to “sea” what happens next.
It’s official! The only youth writing center in the Twin Cities is now part of the 826 Network — so get ready to hear the voices of young authors from Minneapolis/St. Paul! On August 26, 826 National was thrilled to welcome the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute — where young and brave explorers have spent the past decade discovering what lies at the bottom of the lost ocean of Minnesota — to the 826 family as 826 MSP.
To celebrate 826 MSP officially becoming a chapter, staff from 826 National and 826 MSP hosted a celebration for students, educators, families, community members, and supporters. And of course, the entire 826 Network took to social media to welcome 826MSP.
This #826Day, we’re thrilled to #WELCOME826MSP to the @826National network! As Yajahira, age 9, wrote:
“Hi from San Francisco! I wrote a story, now it is your turn to write one for me. I’ll be waiting for your story.”
We can’t wait for your stories, @826MSP students!
— 826 Valencia (@826valencia) August 26, 2019
It’s an #826Day unlike any other because @826MSP is opening their chapter doors! Help #WELCOME826MSP by sharing why you ❤️ 826. pic.twitter.com/ofUHXuxI2D
— 826 Boston (@826boston) August 26, 2019
This school year, 826 MSP is expected to serve 2,500 students in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and publish over 50 student publications. Along with continuing to provide creative writing lessons and tutoring to area students, 826MSP will also offer free in-school and out-of-school youth writing programs, such as the After-School Writing Lab, Field Trips, the Young Authors’ Book Project, Creative Writing Workshops, and a Writers’ Room at South High School in Minneapolis. 
Whether it is short stories by Native and Indigenous students or the poetry of immigrant students, the young authors of Minneapolis/St. Paul are sure to bring new perspectives and identities to the 826 Network that will enrich the collective narrative that our youth are writing nationwide. By the way, their most recent publication, Indigenous Originated: Walking in Two Worlds is our September pick for 826 Book of the Month!
Stay tuned for more from 826MSP by following them on social media and subscribing to our monthly newsletter!
