826DC’s programs are modeled after 826 Valencia, the inspiration for the founding of 826 National, which now includes seven chapters throughout the United States, including the Washington, DC chapter. 826 National was co-founded by author Dave Eggers and by veteran educator Ninive Calegari, whose experience as a teacher shaped the 826 model. 826DC works closely with teachers to design new writing workshops and long-term projects to suit specific content-areas, special curriculum units, interdisciplinary projects, and after-school programs.