As someone who benefited immensely from numerous people encouraging me to write as a young man, I will shamelessly plug this: 826 — author Dave Eggers’ youth writing program — will finally be opening a D.C. branch at 3233 14th Street NW in Columbia Heights this fall, and are looking for volunteers for writing workshops and drop-in tutoring sessions. Those familiar with 826 know that each local branch has a themed storefront to help support the work being done. D.C.’s does not disappoint: the “Museum of Unnatural History” will sell “Confused Wood and Existentially Distraught Wood (from the makers of Petrified Wood), a selection of tools for budding unnaturalists, and evolutionary supplements for those who want to develop bipedalism or opposable thumbs.” Awesome. 826DC has already been working in D.C. schools (continuing the good work that our friends at Capitol Letters had been doing in this town for some time), but the new building will allow them to serve even more young people. If you like the idea of helping, you can volunteer here.