SAN FRANCISCO – A crisis is growing in the U.S.: One in three youth struggles with a mental health challenge. Today, 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the country, is addressing the crisis by launching the Write to Thrive Fund. This initiative is the first of its kind, pioneering writing as a powerful and accessible solution. The Write to Thrive Fund seeks to meet this moment by inviting youth-serving organizations to apply to grants of $20,000 that prioritize student well-being, preventative mental health care, and evidence-based learning strategies.
“In the midst of a national youth mental health crisis, we cannot afford to ignore one of the simplest, most powerful, and most cost-effective tools for wellness, and that is writing. Writing gives young people a way to understand their emotions and feel less alone—yet opportunities for this kind of expression have become inaccessible and are not prioritized in classrooms. The Write to Thrive Fund restores writing as both a creative right and a proven support for well-being, ensuring that students—especially in under-resourced communities—can transform their feelings into story, and story into strength.”
—Laura Brief, CEO, 826 National Youth Writing
The Write to Thrive Fund will equip organizations with 826 National’s writing and social and emotional learning curriculum and training, strengthening their capacity to use writing as a preventative tool. These efforts will add to 826’s decades-long work in the field. As a leading national expert, 826 has shown this model to be tested and true: Structured writing can reduce stress, improve mood, and build cognitive flexibility. Students who write regularly report greater resilience, stronger social and emotional skills, and deeper engagement in school.
Josiah, a thirteen-year-old student from 826michigan, shares: “I’ve been journaling about my feelings and how everything is feeling because it’s always been hard for me to put that into words. Writing made me feel better . . . It clears my head but also fills it with the things I want it to be filled with.”
“Today’s youth mental health landscape requires community-based organizations to consider the mental health needs of the young members engaged in their programs. Nonprofit leaders play a critical role in helping young people manage complex emotions and thrive. Providing youth with preventative interventions like writing can help. However, building initiatives to protect youth emotional well-being is hard work and calls for resources and support. 826 National’s Write to Thrive Fund is providing this support.”
—Erlinda Delacruz, Director of Community Programs, The Jed Foundation
The Write to Thrive Fund will prioritize applications from organizations in rural, urban, and tribal communities serving the needs of low-income, BIPOC, and/or English Language Learner (ELL) students in grades 4–12.
Full guidelines and eligibility details for the Write to Thrive Fund are available here.
To learn more about 826 National, subscribe to the newsletter here.
Upon request by the media, interviews are available with Laura Brief, CEO of 826 National. For inquiries, please contact Heidi Lepe at heidi@826national.org.
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826 National is the largest youth writing network in the United States, amplifying the impact of writing and publishing centers across the country, along with the words of young writers. We serve as an international proof point for writing as a tool for young people to ignite and channel their creativity, explore identity, advocate for themselves and their community, and achieve academic and professional success. The 826 Network serves approximately 903,000 students with free writing programs and resources across nine chapters in major U.S. cities—Boston, Chicago, Detroit/Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.—and through 826 Digital. Our online platform, 826 Digital, supports over 23,000 educators nationwide with teaching tools and professional support. Visit 826national.org to learn more about our writing movement.