Hello! My name is Genielysse Reyes, and I am thrilled to join the Words Alive team as the new Volunteer Coordinator.
I enter this role with years of experience in working with different organizations that advocate tutoring, mentorship, transformative philanthropy, and creative storytelling. My interest in these fields sparked during my undergrad career at UC Riverside. I decided to study psychology and creative writing, and as I studied, I volunteered…a lot. Street cleanups, shelter homes, campus events, afterschool programs, theater concession stands, you name it. I fell in love with volunteering, because it opened so many opportunities for me to connect with my community and create fun memories with my peers.
This emphasis on community and connection followed me as I earned an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University in Boston. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a writer, for books were some of my childhood best friends. They made my imagination a safe space, and they offered my young self endless ways to grow as a human. Perhaps that’s why it felt natural for me to write stories for young people; these are formative years that call for comfort, validation, and wonder. And through writing, I felt yet again that I was connecting with so many people who shared my narrative or wanted to learn outside of their own. The writing community became one of my favorite spaces.
When I found out about Words Alive, my heart soared. It was an organization that combined my loves: volunteering, community, and books. Here, I can support the amazing community of volunteers that bring the joy of reading into classrooms and homes. I understand the difference they’re all making, and I hope to witness more and more of their spark. I am so excited to start and be part of Words Alive’s story.
“One book I’m currently reading is “The Last Cuentista” by Donna Barba Higuera. I love that this book emphasizes how storytelling, especially stories rooted in our cultures, is necessary for a sound and beautiful world. It really hits home for me and my work. ”