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Nonprofit

Spells Writing Lab, Inc.

A Philadelphia nonprofit that helps school-age children build creative and expository writing skills through free writing programs, classroom visits, and workshops for teachers.

  • Free
  • Newcomers welcome
  • Online OK

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What they do

Apply online to volunteer as a classroom writing mentor, a Write Club tutor (no teaching experience needed), or a workshop helper, then attend an orientation. You can also register for a workshop or ask for a classroom visit.

Who it is for

Who can join
Open to anyone

When and where

Write Club workshops run live online on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am during the school year. Free workshops run on many weekend afternoons during the school year at the lab and at pop-up sites. Classroom mentors work in schools during the day, and volunteer orientations are usually on weeknights in Center City.

Days
Tuesday and Thursday
Times
Daytime

Spells office (second floor)

Address
1417 N 2nd Street, Suite 22B
Part of the city
Lower North

Volunteer orientations (weeknights, usually Center City)

You can join online.

Your first visit

Feeling unsure the first time is normal. Most groups are glad when someone new walks in.

First step: Submit the online volunteer application on phillyspells.org, linked as Volunteer Now, then attend the next orientation once a date is posted..

Check with the group before you show up. You need to sign up first.

What to expect

Tutors guide young writers through creative and expository forms, with training first and a buddy system for newcomers. The Write Club runs live online on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am and is free for students, while classroom mentors travel to schools to lead workshops in person. The site sets no minimum time commitment for tutors, but orientation comes first.

Tips for your first visit

  • Watch the site's news and events pages for the next orientation date, since none is posted now.
  • Expect an online application first, and the site does not say whether you need a background check.
  • Orientations are usually on weeknights in Center City, with one planned on Drexel University's campus.
  • Classroom mentors work in schools during the day, and the site says daytime availability is wanted.

Newcomer welcome

Welcoming to newcomers (4 out of 5). Why we say this: The Write Club tutor page says no teaching experience is required, offers tutor training, and pairs newcomers with experienced tutors. Orientation dates are not posted yet, so the next step has no date..

Cost and commitment

Cost
Free. The Write Club and the workshops are free for students. The site lists no cost to volunteers.
How often
An ongoing role

Access and languages

Wheelchair access
We do not know yet. Ask the group before you go.
Languages spoken
We do not know yet which languages are spoken.
Access notes
Nearest SEPTA: the Market-Frankford Line to Girard station, about 3.5 blocks away, and the Route 15 trolley to Girard Avenue and 2nd Street, about 2.5 blocks away. Buses 57 and 5 also serve the area. The office is on the second floor, and visitors use a callbox to be buzzed up. The site does not mention an elevator or a step-free entrance.

Requirements

We found no special requirements. Ask the group if you are not sure.

How to reach them

We copy contact details as the group or a public source published them. Each one shows where it came from.

Sources and last check

Checked by our research team on October 8, 2026. This was a closer look, including what a first visit is like.

Last checked by our team
October 8, 2026
Status
Probably active
Our confidence in this listing
Medium

We think this group is probably still active, but the newest sign we found is more than a year old.

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