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Make Believe Chapter 510's Writing Center!

Support young Oakland writers by helping Chapter 510 build our writing center.

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Make Believe Chapter 510's Writing Center!

Make Believe Chapter 510's Writing Center!

Make Believe Chapter 510's Writing Center!

Make Believe Chapter 510's Writing Center!

Make Believe Chapter 510's Writing Center!

Support young Oakland writers by helping Chapter 510 build our writing center.

Support young Oakland writers by helping Chapter 510 build our writing center.

Support young Oakland writers by helping Chapter 510 build our writing center.

Support young Oakland writers by helping Chapter 510 build our writing center.

Tavia Stewart
Tavia Stewart
Tavia Stewart
Tavia Stewart
1 Campaign |
Oakland, United States
$23,064 USD 106 backers
46% of $50,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

This September, over a year ahead of schedule, we moved into the location of our future writing center in downtown Oakland, but in order to fill this space with kids, we need your help. 

We're raising $50,000 to make necessary building improvements, plus buy equipment, furniture, computers, and books for our writing and reading sanctuary. This money will also to help us pay teaching artists and program staff to run writing and bookmaking programs in our first year here at 2301 Telegraph.

Photo credit, Slow Clap Productions

Why We're Here

We believe that every Oakland student deserves to excel in literacy and writing. Reading proficiency by third grade is the most important predictor of high-school graduation and career success. In Oakland: 


About Us

Photo credit, Shelby Ashbaugh

Chapter 510 is an 826-inspired, volunteer-powered organization that provides in-school tutoring, creative and expository writing workshops, and publishing opportunities for K-12 students in Oakland.


This September, we found our permanent space at 2301 Telegraph in downtown Oakland, bringing us closer to our vision of building a writing center and community space to serve as a dynamic resource for all students, families, teachers, and volunteers. 

We've got the space. Now we need your help in raising $50,000 to bring in the programming and resources necessary to transform it into an inspiring and inclusive space for Oakland youth.

How Your Support Will Help

Have you ever tried to write a thrilling story about killer robots without paper or a computer? Or learned to love reading without a library full of books to choose from?

Our vision for Chapter 510's writing center is as an inclusive space constantly buzzing with creative inspiration, where students come after school to receive personalized tutoring and where field trippers get so fired up about the books they created in our writing workshops that they run joyous laps round and around their classrooms once they get back to school.

Photo credit, Slow Clap Productions

Jade, MetWest High School student: "When I walked into Chapter 510's new building, I told them they had to open their writing center right away. You should donate to them because it will help give kids like me have a place to go after school to become a better writer."


Your $50,000 will be used in the following ways:

1. Construction: We need $10,000 to make needed improvements to our writing center in January and February, including new floors and ceilings.

2. Equipment: $12,000 will go towards acquiring computers for 35 students; mic + PA for readings; and book-making, printing, and binding equipment.

3. Furniture and fixtures: In order to seat all our young writers during our after-school tutoring, writing and bookmaking workshops, and student reading events, we need $8,000 for tables, chairs, shelves, and light fixtures. 

3. Supplies and books: Another $6,000 will go buy journals, pens, paper, books for our reading library, and many, many after-school snacks (don't ever try to tutor a hungry anybody!).

4. Teaching artists and staff: In order to add programming to our center, and maintain programming with our partner schools, we're asking our community for $14,000 to pay for program staff, including our teaching artists and bookmaker in residence who will help us set up and start programming in our new building

Where We're Going Beyond this Campaign (Two-Year Plan) 

In September, we signed a five year lease with architects Erik Bloom and Todd Bennett of Parcel Projects, and we'll be working in close partnership with them over the next two years to transform our space into a student-led writing and making ecosystem. 

Students will have multiple access points, from reading in our student-curated library, writing with volunteer tutors and teaching artists, bookmaking with professional equipment and supplies, and, for older students, designing and publishing student books to be sold in our retail space and in bookstores throughout Oakland. 

Your support will ensure that Chapter 510, in partnership with OUSD and the Oakland Public Library, continues to act as a catalyst for change in addressing literacy issues in Oakland. 


Wendy Donner, Abundance Foundation: "I give because Chapter 510 is a thoughtful, inspiring community of amazing people. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to bring 510 to youth in Oakland!"

What Your Donation Gets You

Not only do you get the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing you helped youth literacy in Oakland, your donation will also get you a variety of amazing and fantastical rewards.
If you live in the Bay Area, you can stop by the Department of Make Believe in downtown Oakland to donate, pick up your perks, claim your high fives, purchase any other items sold in our center of magical bureaucracy, or just meet us and check out our organization in person. Stop by 2301 Telegraph Ave. today - we've got a stack of fantastical paperwork with your name all over it. 


Photo credit, Slow Clap Productions; art by Rob Trujillo; design by Bookish Designs

Design by E.M. Wolfman Home Repair



Design by E.M. Wolfman Home Repair




Art by Rob Trujillo

Art by Thailan When 

Other Ways You Can Help

Here are other ways you can help us in our mission to support young Oakland writers: 

 - Click the Facebook and Twitter buttons in the upper left to share our campaign. It's free and easy and really does make a difference! Use our hashtag: #MakeBelieveOakland

 - Use other social media outlets? Share our campaign on all of them:  Facebook and Twitter (again), but also Instagram, blogs, emails, secret messages, telepathy, notes in bottles, etc. Get the word out! Here's a link to our campaign page that you can copy, paste, and share: bit.ly/Chapter510Indiegogo 

 - Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Twitter (@chptr510), and like our Facebook page

Keep checking the campaign page. We’ll continue to add updates and new perks, so stay tuned! If you want to contact us with a question or a weird dream you just had, email us at: marya_brennan@chapter510.org. 

Credits

We could not have, in a million-billion years, launched this campaign without:

Crazy-amazing design from E.M. Wolfman Home Repair. Gorgeous video by Slow Clap Productions. Our talented and generous artists Robert Trujillo, Thailan When, Pickypocket Press, and B.Spoke Tailor. Printers Green Copy and Bloom. 

Our Campaign Manager Marya Brennan, and radical youth interns Jade and Kayla.  

And RedBull. And Cheetos. And all our amazing young writers who inspire us to do this insane and wonderful work each and everyday. It's so worth it. 
 
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Choose your Perk

featured

Pro Pretender

$51 USD
Your imagination and spirit of generosity are running wild! Enjoy your "The Floor is Lava" poster designed and printed by local Oakland artists from E.M. Wolfman Home Repair and Bloom Press. Not only is it beautiful, but it might also save your life one day.
16 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Imaginary Friend

$10 USD
Thank you so much! You get free high fives whenever we see you, a public shout out on social media, and our undying appreciation.
6 claimed

Make Believer

$25 USD
Get a pair of our official Chapter 510 3-D glasses for all your magical viewing needs. Plus, get an official Permit to Make Believe when you come visit the Department of Make Believe in downtown Oakland. Finally, no more unsanctioned pretending! Art by Robert Trujillo. Designs by Bookish Design and E.M. Wolfman Home Repair.
7 claimed
Ships to United States of America

VIIP

$75 USD
Your imaginary needs are very important to us, so we've created this VIIP (Very Important Imaginary Person) package just for you! You get our Imaginary Needs tote bag, a set of three Dream Scenarios, plus, as usual, all the perks from the previous levels. That's six holiday presents taken care of, right there! Enjoy the VIIP life.
2 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Dreamer

$100 USD
We love the way your beautiful mind works - let us legalize your dreams! Come to the Dept. to receive your License to Dream, also good for discounts at many local establishments. Plus, we'll send you a beautiful poster from the Bureau of Imaginary Lands, designed and printed by local Oakland artists from E.M. Wolfman Home Repair and Bloom Press.
8 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Creative Manifestor

$255 USD
Have a bold and specific dream you'd like to make real? We can help! Fill out an Official Record of Creative Manifestation and file it at the Department of Make Believe. We'll put the Division of Fantastic Futures to work on it. Plus, enjoy our special Night and Day Dreamer masks, good for sleeping, bold thinking, and quick disguises.
0 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Muse

$510 USD
You are our biggest inspiration, so it's only fair we send you a Box of Personalized Encouragement. The contents will be up to YOUR personal muse, a Chapter 510 student who will personally curate your box and include a letter of explanation. Plus, we'll engrave your name in the foundation of our building so everyone (including future alien archaeologists) knows how inspirational you are.
2 out of 10 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

Wish Fulfiller

$1,000 USD
Send us a carefully worded wish you've been dreaming about and Pickypocket Press will beautifully letterpress it for you. Hang it in a special place. Our Department of Wish Technology works for you. You can see their work at: pickypocketspress.com
0 out of 5 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

Portrait of a Future Hero

$2,500 USD
You're an inspiration to future generations! Local artist Robert Trujillo will create a portrait of a special kid in your life. Check out his work on his website: work.robdontstop.com.
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

Persona of the Year

$5,100 USD
If you need a new persona, alter-ego, or just a really amazing costume for all your magical occasions, you got it. For $5,100 Nan Eastep of B. Spoke Tailor will make an outfit to transform you into whoever and whatever you'd like to be! Check out her work at: http://bspoketailor.com/
0 out of 2 of claimed

Portrait of a Hero

$7,500 USD
You're our hero! Make space on your wall for a large 24" x 36" framed and signed personal portrait created by Oakland artist Thailan When. To see her work, visit her website: www.thailanwhen.com.
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

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