Every time we do an orientation for prospective tutors, one of the things we're at pains to stress is what a home our centers become for the 6-to-18-year-olds who know about them. Is it neat that, even after a kid comes here four days a week for three hours a day, he or she can tell us about a tutor who really impacts him or her and we'll arrange for the two of them to finish up that AP World History assignment on the weekend? We think so.

The interns who devote hours to running our office, some just midway through college, are part of what makes this an environment where everyone can leave a bag or make a phone call or hang out with a book. People this courteous and versatile aren't everywhere in Los Angeles, and we're lucky enough to find great ones year after year. Every so often 826LA likes to give one of them the talking stick, because they're so close to everyone here (from volunteers to whole families). Birte, who's been helping out at 826LA for the last two months, describes how we create a setting where empowerment and enlightening discoveries are the norm. She writes:

Last month, I filmed some of our students composing and performing songs that they had written. These songs were created to be recorded by local bands and performed at a benefit concert for 826LA. Kimi and Xena worked with tutors Rachel and Shayne to compose the chords to accompany Kimi's song 'New Beginning,' while Malik and William worked with tutor Tom to pick out the perfect beat to go with their 'jerk song' rap and tweak some of the lyrics. Watching both groups rehearse for what seemed like forever to make sure it sounded just as they had intended, I came down with a bad case of 'proud mama bear.' Even worse, I hadn't even personally helped in the writing process! Even so, seeing them perform was inspiring.

Once they had overcome the natural nervousness and embarrassment that was holding them back from belting it out, they were able to perform the songs they had written in front of a group of very pleased and impressed volunteers and interns, one of whom was holding a video camera. When they found out we had posted said videos on YouTube, there was an uproar of lamentation. 'But our song sucks!' cried Malik.

We beg to differ. We think these songs are pretty incredible, and put them up at 826la.org/chickensinlove for you to watch and listen. I'm getting my autographs now—they'll be worth millions when the "New" New Boyz blow up.

We think Birte is right on when she talks about the environment we've created--almost a family. She mentioned another intern on our team: Tom's a UCLA student who's been tutoring with us since the fall while attending classes at UCLA, and the kids are continually inspired by his enthusiasm for dance and his college wisdom. When I asked Tom to write a little letter about himself, he handed me back poem instead:

Waddup world! Tom is in the building
826LA is giving "aid to fix" L.A., is that right?
Here's my introduction…

1 for the Knowledge, 2 for the Wisdom,
3 for Understanding how to teach it to children!
I like practical mathematics, cuz you have to have it…
Don't be slow on the scene,
Know what I —mean—, that's the —average—.
Currently in college,
Searching for knowledge.
I go to UCLA, minoring in Civic Engagement, and I study History,
So my past, present, and future don't seem like a mystery.
Now I can imagine plenty of cryin', in 20-0-9,
That's why I tend to write rhymes,
More often in night times to enlighten minds,
Using my daylight hours to fight crimes!
I teach bboying at the UCLA Rec, and I've been dancing since '03,
And, like an onion, I have layers, so it may take a while to get to know me.
Well, I grew up in Orange County,
But my origin undoubtedly
Stems from foreign boundaries! (I rhymed "orange" 4 times.)
And after 21 years, now it's me. =]
PEACE, BALANCE, and RESPECT YOURSELF
Tom Tung aka a lot of names.

Tom, Birte, and other interns (new and old) complement a dedicated staff and the elite of Los Angeles volunteers to make 826LA.

By the way, the most exciting part of having all these personalities mingling in a tiny space with fragile chairs is the relationships that students develop with the adults they meet quite rapidly, memorably, and enthusiastically. Malik, whom Birte filmed as a first-time musician, remembered that Tom was supposed to be here on his weekly schedule recently. "I'm gonna work with him," Malik added. "He's one of my best tutors."

My best tutor? If kids feel this authoritative over their experiences at 826LA—as though they can draw on a veritable stable of great adults, learning but managing the conversation about their learning—then what we're offering is more than mere advice: it's ownership. If that sense of ownership extends to the publishing students do on a frequent basis, we're going pretty far in making a real impact on many, many lives.