We’re excited to introduce you to our April Volunteer of the Month, Ashlin Davila! Ashlin joined 826NYC as a Spanish translator in fall 2024.

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

I first got involved with 826NYC during my first semester of my freshman year of college. For my honors program we were required to do community service hours and when browsing organizations, 826NYC stood out the most to me because of the way they prioritize their writers and their goal to involve parents whose native tongue is not English in reading their children’s work.

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

My favorite part of 826NYC is most definitely how communicative everyone is, and the way the workload is divided so that everyone has shared responsibilities.

826NYC: What’s your favorite part of working on student publications?

My favorite part of working with student publications is seeing the vast imaginations that every writer has, and the different ways that each student depicts stories.

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

If I’m not at 826NYC, I am stressing over college work but if I am not doing that I’m more than likely on a rock-collecting nature walk, or on a calm little hike! Or if the weather permits at the beach, which is my favorite spot to be at.

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

One piece of advice I would give, especially in terms of translating, is to read the work multiple times to get a broad understanding rather than to go straight into translating the work so that you can get a feel for what the writer is trying to depict, and their tone!

826NYC: What are your superpowers?

One of my superpowers is reviving dead/dying plants!

Want to support our students this spring? Sign up for a volunteer orientation today!