| Follow Us: Facebook Twitter

People

Amanda Uhle


Program

Drop-in Teen and Youth Writing Workshops

115 E Liberty St
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Amanda Uhle, executive director of 826michigan, an Ann Arbor nonprofit that aims to teach kids the joy of writing, has conquered early start-up pains and later financial struggles, but most recently faces a significant, albeit flattering, challenge: local demand for services exceeds 826michigan’s capacity. 
Michigan Nightlight: What does being a leader mean to you?
826michigan Executive Director Amanda Uhle: I aspire to be and hope on my best days that I am a leader that listens more than I talk, that liberally delivers praise and credit where it’s due, and that takes the lead, even the blame, when an unpopular decision is needed.

What is your dream for kids?
My dream is to remove all the negative influences on education that start so early. A lot of our students really struggle to
A lot of our students really struggle to write, in part because they’ve decided from an early age that writing is hard, that they’re not good at it.
write, in part because they’ve decided from an early age that writing is hard, that they’re not good at it. I truly believe that inspiring students to be confident in themselves, especially by way of their writing, is a pathway to tremendous opportunity.

What is one concrete thing that could be done to improve the environment for social sector work in Michigan?
It sounds dead obvious, but increased business support -- financial and otherwise -- makes a significant difference for organizations like ours. Naturally, we benefit when businesses, especially those based locally, contribute funds or sponsor events. But we also really value businesses who place importance on volunteering in the community by giving paid time off for that purpose or by matching employees’ donations or any number of creative ways that businesses find to engage in the social sector.

How do you know you’re making progress?
Our problems are always evolving, which I think is a really good sign. In our very early days, we were seeking students to take part in our programs and then a little later, we were always scraping together funds to pay the electric bill. Now we have a bit more financial stability, and we literally have to turn away students and teachers who need our support. Our challenges now are around identifying the most effective way we can use the resources we have to make the strongest, longest-lasting impact for our students.

But we also really value businesses who place importance on volunteering in the community by giving paid time off for that purpose or by matching employees’ donations or any number of creative ways that businesses find to engage in the social sector.
What are you most proud of?

It gives me endless pride to see the contributions people make in support of our work. They give enormously of their time as tutors, which is of infinite value to us and to students. And people who are compelled by 826michigan’s work contribute funds so generously, even if for some individuals that means a relatively small gift. It’s always heartfelt and always makes me feel so proud that we’ve created something that people connect to so passionately.

What do you think has been done in the past ten years in the literacy field to most improve outcomes for kids in our state?
As public education funding continues to diminish in our state, it has been so wonderful to see supplemental programs addressing the educational needs of Michigan students. 826michigan is not alone in serving school-aged students with important services, creating amazing learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom, and providing a safe third space -- not school or home -- where students can be themselves.
Signup for Email Alerts

Program Profile

Organization

  • 826michigan
    826michigan is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around our belief that ...

People

Stuart Ray, Mindy Ysasi, Mike Kerkorian, Ellen Carpenter from Grand Rapids' Nonprofits

Jumping Ship: Former Corporate Leaders Tell All


Detroit Future Schools

Flipping the Script on Teacher-and-Textbook Instruction


Berston Bicycle Club

Kids Discover the Power of Pedaling

View All People

Programs

Infancy to Innovation list

Infancy to Innovation

Engaging families of color in identifying problems and solutions

Verona Early Grade Reading Achievement

Verona Early Grade Reading Achievement Program

Improving K-2 reading

REACH

REACH

Mixing learning and fun
View All Programs

Bright Ideas

ostdogood LIST

Company Supports 4th Grade Field Trips to Lake Michigan

Parents working more than one job or odd hours, a lack of funds, and no transportation often prevent kids from experiencing one of Michigan’s incredible natural resources. For the majority of west side Grand Rapids elementary school kids, Lake Michigan is sadly out of reach. OST has teamed up with Grand Rapids Public Schools to give fourth-graders at west side schools the opportunity to experience the big lake firsthand.

FTgrcfgrants-8566LIST

Youth Decide Where Grant Dollars are Spent

For Grand Rapids students who serve as trustees-in-training on the GRCF Youth Grant Committee, giving back to the community goes hand in hand with empowering students to succeed. 

1000 Books Program at Kalamazoo Library.

One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten

If you were writing the book of a child's life wouldn't you like it to have a happy ending? Every day more children are signing up for a Kalamazoo Public Library program intended to give them a life that includes loving the reading of books. 
View All Bright Ideas