Share a favorite moment or experience from your time volunteering with 826 Valencia.
One of my favorite moments from 826 Valencia was when the students came back from winter break and hearing all of their stories of what they did.
What inspired you to join our community?
I decided to join the 826 Valencia community because I wanted to hear and read the stories of the young people. I wanted to help the students express themselves in a productive way, instead of a destructive way. With everything going on in the country, in their homes, and in schools, these students need an outlet to let it out. The spoken word and the written word can be powerful tools to use as therapy.
What hobbies do you enjoy when you’re not volunteering at 826 Valencia?
I enjoy listening to music, writing and performing poetry, spending time with my wife and daughter, cooking, watching political satire, court TV, movies, and reading up on current events.
Any advice for new 826 Valencia volunteers?
The advice I would give to new volunteers is to be yourself and don’t try to pretend to be someone else just to relate to the kids. Get to know the students and what they are interested in. Then try to combine their interests with what is being taught. Remember to continue to show up for the students, because the more they see you, the more they feel they can count on you and not be let down.
If you could transform into any literary creature for a day (dragon, unicorn, traveling pufferfish, etc.), what would it be and why?
One of my favorite books of all time is “The Tortoise and the Hare.” In this child’s book, I would be the tortoise. I’d rather be slow and steady than fast and unstable.