826 Boston

Elite '08

59

788

cherie c.

Dorchester, MA

826 National is a great organization created by the folks at McSweeney's publishing.  826 Boston is the newest edition to the family, offering drop-in tutoring services for local kids and much more--all free of charge.  They help kids develop writing skills, offer workshops and field trips.  They also throw some of the most creative fundraisers you'll ever see.  The Boston storefront will be The Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute.  If you've been to SF's Pirate Store or Brooklyn's Superhero Supply Company, you know that this store is sure to be a blast.

They are still looking for volunteers, so get in now and be a part of what is sure to become one of the coolest nonprofit educational programs in Boston.

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Elite '08

116

63

Kabir H.

Cambridge, MA

ARGH! I *HATE* this place so much.. but only because it highlights my spectacular inadequacy as a writer; I can't summon the fucking words necessary to describe how amazing the Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute truly is. I could lace the rest of this review with expletives and I'd only capture a sliver of my excitement: jaw agape, wild-eyed and fully engorged. Oh, and I was sober the whole time.

For starters, whoever designed the space is a fucking genius, capable of lashing together a vessel of sheer creativity, bound by the intricate weavings of their own imagination, fueled by sheer verve, and bore out through plywood, concrete and plaster footprint moldings.

My only complaint: The Simulacron isn't large enough to accommodate two people, seriously hampering a sanguine desire to propose marriage in there. And if creepy, imaginary future girlfriend declines... then I'll know, it was never meant to be. And she was probably a bitch anyway.

I know all of this sounds cryptic and doesn't make any sense. It's because you need to come visit for yourself, and check out 826 Boston in the adjoined space. I really wish there were something like this available when I was still learning to write and maybe I wouldn't have such a hard time trying to explain why I love this place so much.

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13

80

C L.

Brighton, MA

Have you ever pondered the existence of Bigfoot? Maybe seen flashes of a Yeti out of the corner of your eye, roaming in the brush of the Fens at night? (ok, that probably wasn't a Yeti-- even Yetis dare not venture the Fens at night)  Or perhaps you thought you caught a glimpse of a Sasquatch standing in line for a dog at the Sausage Guy's stand?  The GBBRI (Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute) associated with 826 Boston may be fit for you:
http://www.826boston.o...

Ok, what is 826 Boston for reals?  Well if you are as big of a fan of the author Dave Eggers or McSweeney's publications as I am, then you've probably seen mentions of the tutoring and writing center that he has founded across the U.S., the name being derived from the original 826 Valencia St. location in San Fransisco.  This is the 7th opening of an 826 center located at the intersection of Washington and Columbus in Roxbury.  

BPS has saturated the minds of these kids with memorized facts, because it is oh-so-important that they pass their MCAS tests just so the public can have tangible evidence that the taxes we pay to public schooling are leading to success.  826 Boston gives kids an opportunity to work with a younger and enthusiastic crowd that they may respect more than the 60 year old antiquated teacher who disciplines them on finishing homework and eating vegetables with strict rigidity.  826 Boston works on what is most important to children: cultivating their creative side and planting the seeds for free thought, which in turn will make learning more fun.  

When I showed up for orientation, I was handed a rubber toad and a "Cryptozoology Career Kit" that was passed in a circle as the others being orientated giggled.  This is the atmosphere that 826 Boston provides-- relaxed and humorous, but with sincere intent to give these kids a mentor who cares, which they may not have in school or at home.  Check out their website for orientation schedules where you can fill out an application.  

And if you haven't volunteered much, I promise you that you will unexpectedly get more out of this than the time you put in.

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