We’re excited to introduce you to our February Volunteer of the Month, Carly Fisher! Carly joined 826NYC just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and we pivoted to virtual programs. She volunteered in Zoom classes and continues to support our students as a volunteer editor! Find out more about Carly from her interview below:

826NYC: How did you first get involved with 826NYC and why did you decide to volunteer?

Carly: After school writing programs really helped me as a kid and I wanted to pay forward, so I had been thinking about volunteering with 826NYC for some time. I finally went in for my first volunteer information session at the end of 2019, and then 2020 happened. It was a really rough time in New York, and even though I started with virtual sessions, it ended up becoming a really meaningful commitment for me to connect with our community while everyone was socially isolated. Three years later, I still love pitching in to help edit chapbooks and am proud to be part of what 828NYC is doing.

826NYC: What’s your favorite part of 826NYC?

Carly: Reading everyone’s writing! Everyone brings such a different perspective, style, and story—being able to help sharpen and strengthen that copy to make each writer shine is one of my favorite parts of the process. 

826NYC: What do you do when you’re not at 826NYC?

Carly: I’m a writer and strategist by trade, so I’m usually banging away on my keyboard (check out my book on the Hudson Valley and Catskills!). When I’m not doing that, I’m making art, cooking, or getting lost on adventures.

826NYC: What advice would you give a new volunteer?

Carly: Be open! I’m always surprised how much I learn from these kids and new ways of thinking. Also, respond quick when the emails go out—slots fill up fast!

826NYC: What are your superpowers?

Carly: I have a sixth sense for finding delicious pastries and an innate ability to whip up something wonderful in the kitchen with very little on hand. I also think I’m psychic, but it hasn’t really helped me with the lottery yet.

Check out some of the books Carly and other awesome members of our editing cohort worked on here: To Remind Myself I Haven’t Left Yet and Paul Has Left the Crisis. Want to support our students? Sign up for a volunteer orientation today!