826NYC has the 411 on turning kids into super writers

"Step through the storefront of the Superhero Supply Store, past the capes, cans of "anti-gravity," and jars of "immortality," and you'll find something far more powerful than any comic book gadget. Hidden behind a secret door is a writing center where New York City students discover their voices through writing. "We want there to be a sense that anything's possible and that the students themselves are superheroes," said Rebecca Darugar, executive director of 826NYC. "Here you're part of a secret community of writers.""

"826NYC is a nonprofit with the mission to empower students to explore limitless possibilities through writing and to give young people the agency to write whatever they want. Whether it's poetry, fiction, memoir, or something entirely new, students are encouraged to explore writing as creativity, expression, and self-discovery in fun and engaging ways. "Every year I get to meet a bunch of kids who may have never been creatively validated in any way...""

A Superhero Supply Store in Park Slope conceals a secret writing center where New York City students develop writing skills and self-expression. The space uses playful props and a secret-door reveal to create a sense of possibility and community. 826NYC operates as a nonprofit focused on empowering youth to explore poetry, fiction, memoir, and experimental forms. Staff emphasize creative validation and identity discovery through facilitated programs. The organization publishes students' work into tangible books sold in the storefront. The initiative frames students as superheroes and fosters agency, creativity, and pride through writing and public-facing publishing opportunities.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles