We’re excited to introduce you to our July Volunteer of the Month, Barbara Furman! Barbara started volunteering with us in 2018, and currently works with some of our youngest students in Write After School. Learn more about Barbara by reading her interview below:

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

Barbara: I first got involved with 826NYC in 2018 when I saw a blurb in a local Park Slope newspaper. The article mentioned Dave Eggers and I walked into the Superhero store and asked the guy there if he was Dave Eggers. Kindly, he didn’t laugh at me!

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

Barbara: My favorite part of 826NYC is, when, after the chaos of arrival and settling in, the students become excited and engaged in the project for the day. That feels good.

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

Barbara: I am a retired corporate interior designer and I continue to be interested in the arts in my spare time. For more that 20 years I have been a volunteer for ArtWorksNYC, a non-profit art literacy program for third graders from all five boroughs. I also travel, attend concerts and the theater, and visit museums and galleries.

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

Barbara: My advice to a new volunteer would be to listen to the students. They are perceptive and observant in ways that we, as adults, are not.

826NYC: What are your superpowers?

Barbara: My superpower is Laughter.

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