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

I first got involved with 826NYC last year, when I was a part of the CUNY Service Corps at City College. There I was a student and intern at the  Writers’ Room. I worked with students in 6th – 8th grade helping them with their stories, revising, and editing. It was the first time that I worked with middle schoolers. I decided to volunteer once I learned that my time as an intern was coming to end a lot sooner than I had realized. Also, a few 8th graders that I worked with wrote me a thank you note about how I helped them with their writing. The Writers’ Room has grown on me and I enjoy helping out the students any way that I can.

2.) What’s your favorite part of volunteering at 826NYC?

My favorite part of volunteering at 826NYC is being to hear the different creative stories the students are working on while trying to get them to see that they don’t have to use google to be creative because they are original storytellers.

3.) What do you do when you’re not at 826NYC?

When I am not at 826NYC I like to watch TV and figure out what dinner is going to be for the week.

4.) What advice would you give a new volunteer?

My advice to any new volunteer is to be yourself. It might take time, however, eventually the students will open up to you about their stories.

5.) What are your superpowers?

My superpower is being calm. This ability allows me to help fellow writers of both the present and the future tap into their inner writer to unlock their hidden storytelling powers.