By vikki bowes-mok, words alive volunteer
Mercedes Santiago is Words Alive’s Read Aloud Program Volunteer of the Year. Reading role models are the linchpin of our Read Aloud Program. Launched when Words Alive and Rolling Readers merged in 2014, this is our largest program directly serving children. Volunteers read weekly in 90+ Title I elementary classrooms schools throughout San Diego County (transitional kindergarten through third grade).
Mercedes is a retired school counselor who enjoys so many activities, including reading, gardening, mentoring, ushering for Old Globe and the student’s performance for the Opera, walking in neighborhoods and hiking in nature, listening to jazz, traveling and exploring new places, meeting up with family and friends, and celebrating life’s ups and downs.
Now let’s hear from Mercedes about her work with Words Alive.
Why do you volunteer with Words Alive? Are you familiar with the saying “Each One Teach One.” It’s an African-American proverb that originated in America during slavery when education was being denied to them. Basically, it’s passing on your knowledge to another. It’s all about giving back and enhancing one’s community. As a young adult, I volunteered in the Big/Sister Program and the San Diego Probation Dept., worked as a school health aide in a low income community and enjoyed my 40 years as a school counselor. I’ve been fortunate to have the support of so many family members, friends and mentors that guided me in my life; I’m forever grateful to them. One way I can demonstrate my appreciation is by giving back to the community and by passing on the love of reading to the next generation. I grew up in San Diego and attended schools in City Heights. It's an honor and joy to be back there encouraging students to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
Is there a story you’d like to share about working with Words Alive? Upon retirement, I was recruited to join Words Alive by a friend, Charlene Sapien, who is just as passionate as I am to improve the literacy of students. Thanks to her encouragement, I’m pleased to be part of the Words Alive family.
What are you reading right now? A friend recently gifted me a copy of his first published book, A Dream Immortal: Seven Tales from Seven Realms of the Spirit by Astika Royal Mason. I’m enjoying reading it.
Any book recommendations? So many….Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, Living Untethered by Michael Singer, Rose Code by Kate Quinn, Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.