By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer
Andrew Hawkins has supported five waves of the Family Literacy Program since beginning his volunteer service with Words Alive in 2024, and can also be found building Learning Kits at Wild Books, distributing program materials to program partners and school sites around San Diego, or representing Words Alive at community outreach events
Can you tell me about your involvement with Words Alive?
I joined Words Alive after moving to San Diego from Los Angeles, where I worked with a national nonprofit aimed at closing the opportunity gap between underinvested communities and their more affluent peers through the power of early literacy. I knew I wanted to continue this work in my new home of San Diego, and Words Alive offered volunteer opportunities that were impactful, community-oriented, and fun for volunteers and young readers.
What drew you to Words Alive?
Advancing quality early literacy initiatives has been a cornerstone of my work for the past 13 years. I’m invested in this work because I wholly believe in the transformational power of reading and its ability to change our life’s trajectory for the benefit of humankind and reverse many societal ills. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an organization — Words Alive — that shared so many of my own values.
What part(s) of your work with Words Alive are you most proud of today?
I’m most proud of my volunteer work with the Family Literacy Program, where I facilitate virtual weekly read-alouds with young children and their families and model engaging reading strategies that maximize the gifts we receive through reading. I treasure this shared reading space, and I’m always blown away by children’s own contributions to the story, from pointing out illustration details I missed, to sharing a thoughtful perspective I hadn’t considered, or offering insight on connections between our San Diego community and themes in the books we read. It’s also been wonderful to meet some of our young readers in person through community outreach events! Seeing their love for reading in person reminds me that the work we’re doing in session is creating positive reading habits that children will carry with them throughout life.
What are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading Black Boy, a memoir by Richard Wright. As a Black man, Black Boy has been insightful in understanding how American racial consciousness is formed throughout childhood, and how children are consistently receiving messages of status, power, desirability, and fear, even if they don’t possess the words to articulate those experiences and accompanying feelings.
Any book recommendations?
Solito, A Memoir, by Javier Zamoza, left a lasting impression on me. In Solito, Javier shares his story on migrating from El Salvador to the U.S. as a young child. I think it’s a must read, especially for communities like ours that share so many similarities with our neighbors across the border in Mexico. Stories like these are necessary to better understand the effects of migration on our neighbors and combat some of the disgusting, harmful falsehoods that are currently permeating American discourse.