Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

826 MSP youth writing center is looking for volunteers with morning/daytime availability to support our Field Trips program! During a field trip, a class of elementary schoolers visits 826 MSP for an immersive creative writing workshop experience. After the trip, students receive a bound book of their work to keep.

826 MSP offers two kinds of field trips to classes across the Twin Cities-Storytelling & Bookmaking Field Trips for 3rd & 4th grade classes (on Tuesdays), and Poetry Navigators Field Trips for 1st & 2nd grade classes (on Thursdays). Field Trips typically run for 2 or 2.5 hours between 10:30 and 2 p.m. The most common session is 10:30-1:00.

There are several volunteer roles for these field trip experiences, and most are beginner friendly!

Typist: During Storytelling & Bookmaking Field Trips, the Typist transcribes the students' ideas into complete sentences to help them create the beginning of their story. (Students finish the story on their own.) Speedy typers wanted!

Illustrator: Do you like to draw or design? The Illustrator volunteer creates a cover design and one inside illustration for each Storytelling & Bookmaking Field Trip book. Illustrations can be done on paper or digitally.

Captain: The Captain is a creative, imaginative volunteer role. As the Captain, you play the voice of our mysterious leader who calls the students to give them their writing mission. A great opportunity for anyone who loves acting, theater, or making kids laugh. Captain volunteers are needed in both Tuesday and Thursday field trips!

Support: Support volunteers work with students one-on-one or in small groups to help and encourage them during the writing process. Support volunteers are needed in both Tuesday and Thursday field trips!

826 MSP's mission is to amplify the voices, stories, and power of K-12 BIPOC students through writing, publishing, and leadership programs. Our Storytelling & Bookmaking Field Trip program inspires the next generation of writers to explore and value their own voices. During a field trip, students create an original story with unique settings, characters, and plot. 

Are you a designer, artist, or illustrator?

Volunteer Illustrators bring the students' stories to life by creating a cover design and character illustration for their original book. The books are printed, bound, and given to students as a keepsake after the field trip. Volunteer illustrators can attend the field trip in-person or do their work remotely.

826 MSP is looking for volunteers with:
- passion for working with and learning alongside students
- desire to build healthy relationships and learning skills
- consistency and reliability
- enthusiasm for affirming students' identities, strengths, and imagination
- experience in (or willingness to learn about) working with students of color and antiracist educational practices

Email aminah@826msp.org to learn more.

After-School Writing Lab is a writing and tutoring program for students ages 7 and older. In After-School Writing Lab, volunteer tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students on homework, reading practice, creative writing prompts, and games.

Volunteers for this position must be fully vaccinated.

Volunteers, staff, and students will all be wearing masks and capacity will be limited to keep us all safe.

Available shifts are Mondays–Thursdays, 3:30–5 p.m. and/or 5–6:30 p.m.

Volunteers are asked to commit to one 90-minute shift once a week (or more, if you want).

826 MSP is looking for volunteers with:

- passion for working with and learning alongside students
- desire to build healthy relationships and learning skills
- consistency and reliability
- enthusiasm for affirming students' identities, strengths, and imagination
- experience in (or willingness to learn about) working with students of color and antiracist educational practices

"Do I have to be an expert in all school subjects to volunteer?"
No. Tutors are not expected to have all the answers. What's most important is that you can work alongside students to help them find the answers themselves.

"Do I have to be a professional writer to volunteer?"
No. 826 MSP believes everyone is a writer—students and grown-ups alike!

826 MSP operates the Writers' Room at South High School—a space for students to work with tutors on essays and other writing projects. Volunteers can expect to work one-on-one or in small groups with students on writing assignments like essays and papers.

Volunteers for this position must be fully vaccinated. 

Students, staff, and volunteers will be wearing masks during each program.

Volunteers sign up for one shift (or more) per week, Mondays–Thursdays.

Shift 1: 8:30-10:30am
Shift 2: 10:30-12:30pm
Shift 3: 12:30-2:00pm
Shift 4: 2:00-4:00pm

826 MSP is looking for volunteers with:
- passion for working with and learning alongside students
- desire to build healthy relationships and learning skills
- consistency and reliability
- enthusiasm for affirming students' identities, strengths, and imagination
- experience in (or willingness to learn about) working with students of color and antiracist educational practices

"Do I have to be an expert in all school subjects to volunteer?"
No. Tutors are not expected to have all the answers. What's most important is that you can work alongside students to help them find the answers themselves.

"Do I have to be a professional writer to volunteer?"
No. 826 MSP believes everyone is a writer—students and grown-ups alike!

Volunteers with language skills in Somali, Oromo, Amharic, and Spanish especially encouraged to get involved!

South High School alumni especially encouraged to get involved!