We’re excited to introduce you to our May Volunteer of the Month, Rakhee Bhatt! Rakhee joined 826NYC at the beginning of the 2022 as a member of our editing cohort! She is just one of our awesome publishing volunteers who bring our students’ work across the finish line toward being published authors. She also supported the launch of 826NYC’s new website! Find out more about Rakhee from her interview below:
826NYC: How did you first get involved with 826NYC and why did you decide to volunteer?
Rakhee: I first heard about 826 a long time ago when I was living in Los Angeles, and the organization stayed on my radar. A couple of years ago, I came across a posting for the NYC location stating that they were looking for volunteers to help copyedit and proofread, which are two things I do by profession and was excited for the opportunity to put to use in this capacity.
826NYC: What’s your favorite part of 826NYC?
Rakhee: I truly believe that cultivating a love of reading and writing is the foundation for leading a joyful life, regardless of whatever a person chooses to do and whomever they want to be. 826NYC does a brilliant job in nurturing this love in young minds and hearts, and it’s a complete privilege to play a small role in bringing their stories into the world.
826NYC: What do you do when you’re not at 826NYC?
Rakhee: I am currently pursuing a long held dream of traveling the world while working remotely as a freelance writer and editor. When I’m not working, I’m out and about exploring the city I’m in at the moment, studying for an online health course that I’m taking, reading and people watching in a cafe, using my VPN to see the latest HBO series, or trying to catch up on sleep.
826NYC: What advice would you give a new volunteer?
Rakhee: Approach each student’s piece individualistically rather than collectively. Of course, there are basic parameters that need to be followed by all, but your primary role is to provide a safe place for each of them—as their own being—so that they can fully express themselves and their creativity.
826NYC: What are your superpowers?
Rakhee: I wish I had the ability to teleport (maybe one day!), but my superpower is my curiosity. It is the driving force in all facets of my life and is the character trait that I love most about myself. My curiosity helps me to connect with others, explore the world, learn new things, and just plain have fun.
You can connect with Rakhee through LinkedIn. You can also read some of the books where Rakhee flexed her editing skills: Our Worldview: We Are Who We Are and To Walk in My Shoes, with many more to come! Want to support our students? Sign up for a volunteer orientation today!