The Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co. will have its soft opening in early November! Stop by 1276 N Milwaukee Ave to check out our new digs and get a jump start on your holiday shopping. We have plenty of espionage enhancers, books for long stakeouts, and 826CHI merchandise perfect for gifts and stocking stuffers! And, as always, all proceeds from the store benefit our programs for Chicago's youth. 
 
PROGRAMMING-PALOOZA

 

Since you last heard from us, 826CHI has been a glorious blur of student programming: After-School Tutoring & Writing four days a week, Field Trips thrice, discussions of power and place with Curie Metro High School 10th graders on Tuesdays, a slew of Workshops each Saturday, plus, evening and weekend virtual tutoring of future historians.

THANK YOU to each of the volunteers who have helped make our first month of programming a dream--this would be impossible (and not nearly as much fun) without you.

For by-the-minute updates of what our volunteers and students are up to, visit our Facebook page!
 
826CHI FORWARD UPDATE

 

We did it! We've officially moved into 1276 N Milwaukee Ave and are settling in nicely. In the coming weeks, designers at Gensler will paint a vibrant mural on the longest wall of our writing lab and, thanks to support from the Reva and David Logan Foundation and Helios Design-Build/Demeter Millwork we will soon be installing our much-anticipated morse code bookshelves, work surfaces, and publications center.


We're immensely grateful to each individual who has supported 826CHI Forward thus far, as well as the following businesses and foundations:
  • David and Reva Logan Foundation
  • Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation
  • Gensler staff and Helios Design-Build/Demeter Millwork 
  • Agents of Change supporters: Jeremy Wilson, Shira Kapplin, and John Conneely
  • Armstrong: Ceiling tiles
  • Izzy Plus: Task chairs
  • Dyson: Airblade hand driers
  • Flor: Multicolored carpet squares
  • Mizuho Bank: Conference table and chairs
  • Intuit Art Center: Refrigerator
 
A STOP-MOTION CELEBRATION

 

826CHI's volunteer corps has stunned us, yet again, with their endless talent and generosity. Professional graphics animator and Videomaster/Tutor Supreme Owen Lowery created a series of beautiful stop-motion videos to help spread the word about 826CHI's move and Capital Fund, 826CHI Forward.

Click here to watch the first installment, MOVE, and keep an eye out for the rest!

 


 
ASSOCIATE BOARD: OPEN HOUSE

The new Associate Board at 826CHI offers ground-floor opportunity to rally for a great cause while meeting other enthusiastic, career-minded people. 

Are you looking to network and socialize outside your typical 9-to-5? Want to support a well-respected, creative organization? 

Just us for wine and cheese at our open house to learn more about the 826CHI Associate Board and the exciting work happening behind The Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co.

When: November 5th, 6:30-8 pm
Where: 826CHI, 1276 N Milwaukee Ave.
RSVP: [email protected]
#INTERNviews!

Stay tuned this fall as we present a brand-new project, #INTERNviews, designed to share news of our amazing, incredible, and unbelievably-talented interns with YOU.


Tune in each week as we get to know these fabulous folks, and follow the #INTERNviews hashtag to see them all!

 
SAVE THE DATE: SCRABBLE FOR CHEATERS

 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 31st, and prepare yourselves for the most devious and dastardly Scrabble tournament known to man: 826CHI's Scrabble for Cheaters fundraiser.

More information is coming soon, but email [email protected] if you already know you'd like to form a team!

 
TALE-GATE-SIZED THANK YOU

THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for September's Tale-Gate fundraiser!

 

We're grateful to the volunteers and interns who helped run the event, to each of the 7 fundraising teams for raising support for our programs and completing all sorts of zany challenges, to Doner Men, Write Club, Valid Hysteria, Shine On Chicago, and London Calling for providing day-of entertainment, to Chicagoist for sponsoring us, to Alison Kuczwara of Tiny Bold Creative for making the promotional materials look so lovely, and to the amazing folks at the Hideout for hosting us.

 

You can view Tale-Gate photos here!

OCTOBER SPY OF THE MONTH: RED KOALA

REAL NAME: Drew Rodriguez

FAITHFUL: Tutor, button-up-shirt-wearer

FARRAGO: Of non-826 talents and hobbies

FALSETTO: Would never break during his passionate rendition of "What's Love Got To Do With It"

To read more of Red Koala's file, visit our web site >>
 
   UPCOMING EVENTS                               

 

Saturday, November 1

--College Essay Writing Day, at East Village Youth Program

 

Wednesday, November 5, 6:30-8:30pm

--826CHI's Associate Board Open House at 826CHI 


 

Thursday, November 6, noon-1:30pm

--New Volunteer Orientation; register here

 

Saturday, November 8

--The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer Book Release at Thalia Hall

 

Tuesday, November 11, 6:30-8pm

--New Volunteer Orientation; register here

 

Wednesday, November 26, 5pm

--Internship applications due for our winter/spring semester

 

Saturday, January 31, high noon

--826CHI's Scrabble for Cheaters tournament, at 826CHI

 
  THANK YOU!      

Our daily operations are made possible by myriad businesses, donors, and volunteers who graciously gave their time and resources this week, month, and entire year.

Audrey Greene, for beautiful pro-bono design services to recreate 826CHI's volunteer recruitment materials.

Melanie Kahl, for her donation of a Mac desktop monitor.

John Conneely, for the donation of a new wireless Point of Sale system for The Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co. 

Tommy Quinn, designer and owner of Blank is the New Black, for pro-bono design services as we re-brand the store.

Halfwit, for their coffee donation to keep our staff and volunteers alert and happy.

826CHI's Official Partners:

Peet's Coffee and Tea, for their generous support of 826CHI programs and volunteers. Keep an eye out for 826CHI volunteer posters in Peet's new coffee shops across the city!  

Chicago Writers Conference, who offered 10 scholarships to 826CHI volunteers to attend their 2014 Conference, last weekend. 
Chicago Humanities Fest, for inviting 826CHI to participate in student matinees across Chicago.

We wish to express our deep gratitude to each and every one of you for your essential, continued support. Truly. THANK YOU! 

   GET INVOLVED!

DONATE now through our website, or mail a check payable to 826CHI to: 1276 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622.

WISH LIST
We are also always in need of everything from stamps to grocery store gift cards: see our wish list.
 
We could especially use:
  1. Mousepads!
  2. Paper towels & toilet paper
  3. Coffee cups for our volunteer coffee station
  4. Black masking tape (1" wide)
  5. Two new or lightly used Mac mini computers (we have two monitors)
  6. Illustrators to draw maps for the "Imaginary Lands" themed chapbook, written by After-School Tutoring & Writing students. Email [email protected] for more details!
     
VOLUNTEERS, because we couldn't do anything without our dedicated volunteers. Want to join the team this fall? Simply complete our volunteer form and sign up for New Volunteer Orientation!

INTERNSHIPS exist as well. The deadline for our winter/spring internship is Wednesday, November 26th at 5pm. Check 'em out!
                   
826CHI
  1276 N. Milwaukee Ave // Chicago, IL 60622 // 773.772.8108