by vikki bowes-mok, words alive volunteer

To celebrate Words Alive’s 25th anniversary, we are speaking with a few of the remarkable people who have helped write our story over the last quarter century.

Vichittra “Vee” Chalenue is Words Alive’s longest-serving staff member! She started in 2015 and is now Associate Program Director and Read Aloud Program Manager. Her Words Alive experience actually began years before joining the team, as Vee was part of Words Alive’s Read Aloud Program when she was in elementary school; talk about full circle! When she started first grade, she would get nervous about reading - until her reading role model, Ms. Stephanie, arrived as a Words Alive volunteer and showed her how fun reading could be.

Now, a few words from Vee!

Did your experience as a child influence your decision to join the Words Alive team as an adult?

Yes! I didn’t know it at the time but when I first started as a part-time Program Coordinator, part of my assignment was to read aloud to classes. As I prepared for my first session, I grabbed a picture book that I kept with me all these years and upon opening the cover, I noticed the sticker from my reading role model and that’s how I realized that Words Alive was in my first grade class. The book is about giving back to my community and making a positive impact in my world. That’s definitely helped shape my career path.

Is there anything you wish more people knew about Words Alive’s history or current work?

I think similar to my personal experience I’d want people to know that when they get involved with Words Alive, whether it’s donating time (as a reader or packing kits or working directly with our kids and families), donating talent (writing our curriculum, being active on committees, elevating our processes), or donating treasure, that they’re making a huge impact that is life changing.

How do you envision the next chapter of Words Alive’s story?

I’d love to see Words Alive reach every school and community throughout San Diego and beyond. It would be incredible if Words Alive could expand out of San Diego in the next decade.

What are you reading right now?

My wife and I have been on a banned book reading challenge with our 21 month old babies, so we’ve been reading everything from Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall to This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman to Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall.