Last Friday, a week ago, I had the pleasure of visiting 826 Valencia St. 826 is one of the the writing centers founded by writer Dave Eggers (editor of McSweenys literary magazine) to help kids with their writing.
Simply put, 826 Valencia helps students, ages 8–18, to develop their writing skills. Whether the students are working in the realm of fiction, nonfiction, or English as a second language, we are here to help them explore their love of writing. We offer free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and storytelling. We also help students create their own story collections, zines, and other publications.
You can’t miss the building, its big white “header” is covered with a fun mural by cartoonist Chris Ware.
A great organization to empower young story tellers is always something that is wanted. But there was another reason to go: THE PIRATE STORE.
To support the non-profit writing center, there is the Pirate Supply Store. With its abstract woodwork, drawers of odds and ends, and a selection of eccentric items for sale, it is a place of sheer delight. You can buy publications of young writers’ work as well as giant striped socks, glass eyes, dice, locks, flags, scoops of lard, postcards, and much, much more.
I dug through the sand for a piece of treasure and bartered for it by drawing a picture in a sketchbook at child height. You could also barter by singing a song, telling a joke, and who knows what else.
So when you are in San Francisco, stop by 826 Valencia St. You will be glad you did. If you are farther away, you can visit their centers in Seattle (space supply store), New York (superhero supply store), Chicago, Ann Arbor, and LA.
