Meet Emanuel, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

Words Alive is so excited to announce a new addition to the Words Alive team: our AmeriCorps VIP Fellow, Emanuel Prince! Read on to learn more about Emanuel and his drive to join the Words Alive team.

In September 2023, Words Alive was thrilled to welcome Emanuel Prince to the team for an 11-month position as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) Fellow. This purpose-driven service opportunity builds and strengthens volunteer programs at partner agencies across California through the service of their members. By focusing on capacity building, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and partnership building, VIP members level up their site’s volunteer programs and equip the organization to sustain strong volunteer infrastructure after the conclusion of their term. Fellows receive training in volunteer management and professional development throughout their service.

Emanuel joins Words Alive after graduating summa cum laude from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in criminology and justice studies. He was a leader on campus as the first Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the Mira Costa College Associated Student Government, and chartered the Phi Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, seated at CSUDH. Passionate about serving the Black American community, Emanuel aims to pursue a legal career in civil rights and the public interest sector.

Now, a few words from Emanuel:

What drew you to Words Alive?

After graduating college, I wanted to take a gap year. However, I wanted my gap year to be filled with professional work experience. I applied to a variety of different job opportunities and came across the AmeriCorps VIP Fellowship. Through the fellowship, I connected with Words Alive, which is now the partner site that I will be serving for the next year. What really brought me to Words Alive was our shared belief in serving historically underserved communities. Additionally, we connected in the belief that reading is an essential skill for children to have on their educational journey and future success.

What is your relationship with books and reading?

Personally, I love books, especially as they relate to crime/mystery. One of my favorite novels is The Conjure-Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher. As a kid, I enjoyed The Hunger Games series, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (which inspired the movie Hugo), and Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting.

What are you currently reading?

Towards Zero by Agatha Christie. 

Meet Daniel, Our October Page Turner of the Month!

This October, we are very excited to recognize and celebrate Daniel Golmohammadi as our Page Turner of the Month. Daniel is a high school sophomore and has been a Page Turner since July of this year. Since joining Page Turners, he has read and reviewed 13 books, totaling 4,123 pages and 118 hours. Here is what Daniel had to say about his experience with Words Alive: 

 Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? 

I'm Daniel Golmohammadi, currently on my 10th-grade journey at Needham High School. Beyond the academic side of life, I'm someone who thrives on intellectual challenges and community engagement. Whether it's through my school's debate club, where I serve as a captain, my passion for coding, the exciting initiative I'm spearheading at school, or even my role as president of the Ping Pong Club, I'm deeply committed to both personal growth and contributing positively to my school community. 

 
How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive? 

My discovery of Page Turners/Words Alive was quite fortunate. I was actively searching for meaningful volunteer opportunities online when I stumbled upon this remarkable program. The idea of combining my love for reading with the chance to make a positive impact on others' lives instantly resonated with me. 

 
What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering?

Beyond my commitment to volunteering, I have a spectrum of interests that keep me energized. As mentioned, I'm a fervent participant in my school's debate club, where I've had the privilege of serving as a captain. This role has not only sharpened my critical thinking and public speaking skills but also deepened my appreciation for the power of discourse and dialogue. 
 
Coding is another avenue where I pour my creativity and problem-solving abilities. I'm in the process of launching a coding initiative at my school, aiming to inspire fellow students to explore the world of programming. It's incredibly satisfying to witness others unlock their potential through technology. 
 
Finally, my position as president of the Ping Pong Club combines my love for sports and forming friendships. Ping pong offers a unique way to unwind and connect with friends. 

Has reading with Page Turners impacted your perspective on society or your community? 

Absolutely, reading with Page Turners has been an eye-opening experience. It's not just about sharing stories; it's about delving into narratives that shed light on diverse perspectives and experiences. Through these books, I've gained a deeper understanding of the world, its complexities, and the importance of empathy. It has underscored the notion that literature is a powerful tool for promoting social awareness and change. 

 
What is your favorite book(s) so far? 

The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe has captivated me in a way few books have. Its exploration of identity, resilience, and the strength of human character is simply enthralling. The characters are so vividly portrayed that you can't help but become emotionally invested in their journeys. This book has reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to inspire and provoke thought. It's a reminder that literature can be a catalyst for personal growth and social change, and that's why it stands as one of my all-time favorites. 

Thank you for all you do Daniel! We appreciate your energy and dedication to Words Alive.  

If you would like to volunteer with the Page Turner Program like Daniel, you can sign up here.  

Art & Lit 2023: Graphic Tales and Belonging

Throughout the summer, the Words Alive team, especially our Young Adult Program Manager Marisol Vasquez and Program Director Melinda Cooper, has worked closely with children’s author and graphic novelist Marcie Colleen, a longtime presence in our community, to create Graphic Tales, this year’s collaborative Art & Lit project with multiple workshops! Read on to learn more about what has gone into this project.

Summer camp participants in our Art & Lit workshop, at City Heights Library, visited by local author Marcie Colleen and delivered in partnership with BIPOC Support Foundation.

To give some background, Words Alive prepares and runs an annual Art & Lit project in close connection with our Adolescent Book Group program and sometimes extended into our Read Aloud program. According to our Program Director Melinda Cooper, the project is a collaborative effort with local artists/organizations with a focus on encouraging teens to draw connections between art and literature and ultimately enhancing their learning and understanding. The execution of this core objective varies, with each year bringing a different theme, craft, and collaboration. 

Please feel free to view our 2022 project on identity, the authentic self, and self-portrait through collage, which culminated in a month-long installation at the new children’s museum downtown!

The Art & Lit project will be a little this year and it has to do with our theme of belonging, Melinda said. We’re focusing on the community connection of coming together, she said, and we’ve created Graphic Tales as a collaborative workshop with multiple sessions that can be done any time throughout the school year.

By creating their own stories through graphic novels, teens will not only engage in the theme of belonging by telling the stories important to them, but also by engaging with the various different roles that play into making a graphic novel. At the beginning of the project, youth will get to enjoy a mini career fair where they get to try out the different roles involved in being a graphic novel creator.

“Writing a graphic novel is not a one person job. There's a writer. There's an illustrator. There's a stylist, a colorist, an art director, an editor. There are all of these fabulous, different roles that go into making a graphic novel,” Melinda said. “The whole point is that they're trying on these different hats and feeling out where their strengths and their interests are, and working together to create.”

To bring a fun, accurate and engaging graphic novel creation experience to the project, Words Alive has worked closely with Marcie Colleen, graphic novelist and author of the well loved Penguinaut!. With Marcie, the team has also piloted the program this summer with the BIPOC Support Foundation at City Heights Library. 

“Working with Marcie is a delight. She is brilliant, kind and patient, and has very much approached the project from the same way as us, I think, a commitment to making reading matter to young people,” Melinda said. “She's really passionate about making reading matter and telling stories that need to be told.” 

Furthermore, both Words Alive and Marcie believe in the power and value of graphic novels, although the format may not be considered as part of traditional literature.

Some people do not believe that reading a comic, or reading graphic novels is really reading, and so you get some pushback that it's not real literature, Marcie shared. However, there is value in the interplay between the visual and linguistic storytelling found in picture books and graphic novels. When youth engage with a picture book, not only are they engaging with the written word, but they are also building skills in visual literacy.

“Literacy is not just reading sentences. It's about newspaper articles and advertisements and visuals and body cues… there's so many different kinds of literacy that we engage in all the time and so often I think literacy gets boiled down to just the written word,” Marcie said. “For example, you can look at a character and learn by their body language that they’re sad. I love the whole idea of being able to teach people visual literacy as well.” 

Seeing things visually is just another way of developing empathy and making that connection, Marcie also shared. There are some really beautiful stories, some real poignant and important stories, that have been told through graphic novels, she said. Some of the graphic novels Words Alive uses in its programs includes Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts and Magic Fish, a book on LGBTQI+ and Asian American identity.

Importantly, Words Alive recognizes the importance of making reading fun and relevant. Our Graphic Tales project combines the fun of graphic novels with the value and engagement of action-based learning, where children are able to learn on a much deeper level by collaborating to create stories that speak to them through their own efforts. 

“A lot of the focus of Words Alive is to make reading fun, to make it accessible and to make kids and teens and families want to keep doing it every day so that we can have a culture of reading,” Melinda said. 
During the program’s pilot this summer, the team and Marcie were able to see their efforts firsthand and witness kids get excited about creating graphic novels and get so involved in the entire process. 

“The program could have very well just been a book discussion, but there’s something really special about the hands-on activity,” Marcie said. “The kids not only read graphic novels, but were actively engaged in creating their own” 

Meet Alissa, Our September Page Turner of the Month!

This September, we are excited to celebrate the time and dedication of our Page Turner of the Month, Alissa Lun! Since joining Page Turners in March of this year, she has read and reviewed 28 books, totaling to 10, 240 pages and 119 hours! Here is what Alissa had to say about her time with Words Alive. 

How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive?  

I first heard about Page Turners through a volunteering program at my university. I was intrigued by the opportunity to volunteer by reading books in my free time and therefore promote literacy among San Diego students. Since I love reading so much, I felt that Page Turners was a perfect fit for me! 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering? 

Aside from reading, I enjoy hiking, walking my dogs, and trying new dessert recipes. If Page Turners has a recipe book to review, count me in! 

What is your favorite book(s) so far? 

I enjoyed reading Beyond Magenta, Disability Visibility, and Sitting Pretty from Page Turners. These books expanded my knowledge of transgender and disability issues and provided a solid base for me to further educate myself in the future. Thanks to these books, I had the opportunity to challenge my preconceived notions and biases and form valuable new perspectives. 

Thank you, Alissa, for all you do! We appreciate the time you have dedicated as a Page Turner and with Words Alive! 

If you would like to volunteer as a Page Turner, you can sign up here.

Meet Cassie, Our New Page Turners Intern!

Hi! My name is Cassie and I am the new Page Turners Intern. I am so excited to be working with such a passionate and energized community and cannot wait to see where this journey takes me.  

I am currently entering my fourth year at UC San Diego as a Literature and Ethnic Studies Double Major. Throughout my undergraduate education, I have learned a great deal about how literature can be an extraordinary tool to express a vast array of identities and facilitate cross-cultural understanding. I am so excited to use this knowledge in aiding the Page Turners Program and supporting the broader mission of Words Alive.  

Reading and writing have always been incredibly important to me. Through reading, I have been able to engage with and gain a greater understanding of the world around me. Through writing, I have grown to better understand myself and others. Since literacy and literature continues to serve me in countless ways, it does not sit lightly with me that my own access to education comes from a place of privilege. Literacy is an essential tool with which we navigate society and all levels of education, and yet 21% of adults in the US have low literacy skills. I am passionate about increasing equitable access to education, using my own educational background to increase access to education for others. 

As I complete my last year of college and enter the abyss of adult life, I am grateful to have this experience to shine some light on my future. Although I am unsure of what my plans are for after I graduate, I can really see myself working at a non-profit organization in the future. I am thankful to Words Alive for allowing me to experience working in a non-profit environment for the first time and encouraging me to develop professionally through this experience. I am interested in doing some sort of social justice work, aiding the dismantling of the societal inequities of today. I am passionate and excited to learn more about mass incarceration, housing disparities, and immigration policy, issues which I would love to engage with further in my professional future.  

What drew you to interning at Words Alive? 

A fateful Handshake search led me to interning at Words Alive. Studying Ethnic Studies and Literature, it seems that my whole undergraduate education has orbited around diverse and accurate representations in literature. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this opportunity to be a part of the Page Turners program, a position that aligns beautifully with my own interests and passions. 

Skimming through the summaries of the books being reviewed by Page Turners, I became really emotional. These are the books that I wish I had access to growing up! I cannot express the thrill that comes over me, knowing that there is a generation of children that will be able to see themselves represented in the literature they read and the media they consume, no matter their identity. I am so grateful to be able to contribute to the mission of providing these diverse literary representations to students through Words Alive, increasing literacy rates in the process.  

What are your hobbies or interests? 

I love to indulge myself in anything creative. In my free time, you can find me crocheting or knitting, playing the guitar, and singing. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the UCSD Tritones, the premier a cappella group at UCSD. Singing and performing with the friends I have made in this group has made up some of the best experiences I have had in college. I also have grown a huge appreciation for live music all around, and I spend lots of time (and far too much money) on experiencing all the concerts I can, from jazz nights in Balboa Park to going to see Beyoncé in LA. 

What is your favorite book? 

I am really indecisive so it’s always hard to pick a favorite. Some of my all-time favorites are Beloved by Toni Morrison and The Overstory by Richard Powers.  

I am so happy to be joining this community. I want to extend my thanks both to the Words Alive Staff and Volunteers for the incredibly welcoming and friendly atmosphere I have found here. I cannot wait to get to know more of you in the future!  

Celebrate International Literacy Day by Bringing the Power of Reading to San Diego Students and Families!

Blog Post Written by Ben Hollingshead, Words Alive Volunteer

Since the first International Literacy Day celebrations on September 8th, 1967, the global literacy rate has doubled to 86% in 2023. Despite this remarkable progress, 763 million young people and adults globally still lacked basic literacy skills in 2020, a number only exacerbated by the COVID crisis. Closer to home, 46% of 3rd graders in the San Diego Unified School District currently do not meet the standard for language arts. Now more than ever, it is vital that our San Diego community comes together to ensure all children have access to the benefits of being a reader. You have the power to make this happen, and there is no better time to start than on International Literacy Day 2023. 

From September 7th through the 8th, 2023, Words Alive will be celebrating International Literacy by participating in San Diego Gives, a year-round program that shines the light on local pressing needs. There are two opportunities for you to get involved: in an online Day of Giving on September 7th, 2023, and an in-person Day of Service on September 8th, 2023. 

We would love for you to join us on Friday, September 8th, at 9:30 a.m. at our office. In partnership withUnited Way of San Diego, we will be assembling learning kits. These kits typically include new books, school supplies, and a craft or activity thematically tied to the books that deepen student connection to reading. Words Alive volunteers will use these learning kits in the Read Aloud Program, Family Literacy Program, and Adolescent Book Group. You do not need any specific skills for this activity, just enthusiasm! Please sign up at this link!

You can also support our mission by donating to Words Alive through San Diego Gives. On Thursday, September 7th, San Diego Gives will host a 24-hour online event to support local nonprofits. You can donate via credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or your donor-advised fund. Your generosity would give underserved students and their families access to books and, even more importantly, access to skills that will allow them to use reading as a tool to expand their world. You can give to Words Alive at this link!

Words Alive always seeks enthusiastic volunteers to support literacy efforts throughout the year. Once you attend one of our volunteer orientations, you can participate in various exciting efforts, from Adolescent Book Group Volunteer Facilitator to Book Sorting and Delivery.  If you are looking to commit to the mission of literacy beyond September 8th, please look at the full list of our volunteer opportunities here.

Thank you for joining Words Alive in our mission to connect children, teens, and families to the power of reading on this upcoming International Literacy Day. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Donor Engagement Manager, Tracy Dahlkamp, at [email protected].

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references

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/literacy-rate-by-country

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy#:~:text=Since%201967%2C%20International%20Literacy%20Day,more%20literate%20and%20sustainable%20society

https://www.literacysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/State-of-Literacy-in-San-Diego-County.pdf

Meet our new Program Operations Coordinator, Alex Guerrero!

We are so happy to announce a new member of the Words Alive team: our Program Operations Coordinator Alex Guerrero! Scroll below to meet Alex (they/them) and learn more about their journey to Words Alive and their time with us so far! 

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With two associate’s degrees, livestock management and agricultural technology, Alex comes from a background of farming education. They found their first nonprofit staff experience as well as a place for themself at Words Alive after working through a number of jobs that did not seem to be the right fit. 

As the Program Operations Coordinator, Alex works under Melinda, our Program Director, and also closely with the program managers, who oversee our three core programs: Family Literacy, Read Aloud, and Adolescent Book Group. Alex directs the majority of their attention at Words Alive towards the tangible aspects of the organization and is in charge of all of our materials! They do crucial work in inventory so that our programs are always supplied with what is needed to serve our mission of cultivating lifelong success through reading.

Triple checking materials with diligence, Alex ensures that all the kids benefiting from our programs get their supplies on time and that everything is as quality controlled as possible. 

One of the many fun facts about Alex is that they like to view their tasks at Words Alive as a combination of the main job (materials) constantly running in the background and the various side quests they encounter throughout the day! Alex’s long term goal is to be able to grow everything on their own land, in a way that allows them to be as good and caring to the planet we live on as possible

Now, a few words from Alex!

How did you encounter Words Alive? Why did you want to join the team?

Before Words Alive, my working life was very inconsistent. I probably had 10 or so jobs prior, and they only lasted about three or four months each. In those jobs, I felt that  people weren't willing to train me like they said that they were going to, didn't like when I would ask questions for context, or saw me less as a person and more as a machine to get work done. I have ADHD and autism, and those two together can be challenging for those who have no idea what’s happening. A big reason I went through many jobs before Words Alive is because management wasn’t willing to work with me. 

Last year in September, a friend of mine who previously worked in my position brought me onto staff temporarily, and the more that I was here, the more I realized that I like the people. I feel that our Program Director Melinda approaches managing by seeing people as people before employees, and that the Words Alive team actively advocates for me to accommodate my needs to be able to do what I need to do. The supportive atmosphere of Words Alive is the reason I’m here, and February this year I was brought on as the permanent Operations Coordinator. 

How has your experience at Words Alive been?

Words Alive is truly a nonprofit that is run for nonprofit work, and there is a very supportive environment. You can never ask a stupid question, we’re always encouraging each other, and we try to help each other become better humans. Everybody is willing to help each other and point each other in the right direction to understand our work as a whole, which is the biggest part for me about why I like Words Alive. 

I feel like everybody has the right personality for wanting growth, and that we have a very aware group of people who want to do the best that they can. Personally, I also enjoy the freedom of being able to figure my work out on my own without having to worry too much about what somebody else is telling me to do. 

What inspires you personally? What are you passionate about? 

Words Alive fulfills my passion for people because I'm literally helping the next generation to do better than mine. Outside of Words Alive, I am passionate about the planet. I went to school for farming, and I want to grow all of the food for myself and my closest people.

“I am passionate about the planet and people. I want to do as much good as I possibly can.”

— Alex

I want to be as good to the planet as possible. I want to be as good to the animals that I will eat as possible, fix the soil. Whether that's people or the planet or anything, I'm passionate about caring. 

What is your favorite book? 

One of my favorite books is The Giver. I loved that series so much. The different books are not connected, but they all share a similar story. They’re all about how it's better to have more perspectives. Although you might feel like you're different, that might be a good thing, and you might be the Chosen One who's supposed to bring everybody else into the light. I really enjoyed that because I feel like I'm different, and I feel like I am the kind of person who does a lot educating people about all the different aspects that are Alex. I really connected to the idea that there’s more here, we just have to help people understand it. 

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We are so excited to have Alex on our team! Are you interested in working with Words Alive? You can find open internship and employment opportunities here or click here to learn about how to volunteer with us!

Belonging Here: Connecting Our Selves, Our Stories, and Our World

By Melinda Cooper, Program Director

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself. ”

— Maya Angelou

You enter a room. It is empty. The walls are bare and there is no furniture. It is only you, wearing your clothes, with your feet on the cold, blank floor. You close your eyes and search for something – anything – to give you comfort. What, or who, do you think of?

Wherever your mind went, that is where you feel you belong. It is a special place, where you are safe to be yourself and to, simply, exist. To play, to thrive, to make mistakes, to learn from them, and to move through the world in your own unique way of being. This is what it means to belong.

Belonging is a fundamental human need; the longing for connection is universal.

The Family Literacy program at Encanto Elementary!

Recent studies have proven that a student’s sense of belonging has a positive effect on academic outcomes, achievement behaviors, and well-being, drawing strong correlations between the COVID-19 pandemic, students’ sense of belonging, and mental health. In fact, after controlling for pre-COVID depression and anxiety, researchers found that “students who reported a higher sense of belonging in the fall of 2019 had lower rates of depression and anxiety midst-COVID pandemic.” [1]

Others who have studied the effects of connectedness and belonging on low-income, urban, socially vulnerable adolescents have found that youth who feel more connected to their schools reported lower levels of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and social anxiety as well as higher levels of self-esteem and a more adaptive use of their free time. [2]

At Words Alive, we know that it’s not enough to tell students to try to belong. We must help them learn how to cultivate belonging. One of the ways that we do this is by using anchor texts, selected to ground our yearly reading lists in a common theme, highlighting books and characters that speak to the lived experiences of the 5,000 kids and families with whom we work and co-create each year.

In our Family Literacy and Read Aloud programs, which collectively serve preschool through 3rd graders across the region, we will be reading titles such as:

• Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung

• All My Friends Are Planets by Troy Nelson

• The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach

A book giveaway at Felicita Elementary

Our Adolescent Book Group participants will explore the Belonging Here theme through graphic novels, such as:

• The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

• Isla to Island by Natasha Donovan

• March: Book One by John Lewis & Andrew Aydin

Teens working on their crafts at Jackie Robinson YMCA

As students read fresh and relevant texts about characters who find connection and belonging within themselves and communities, they develop the ability to reflect on their own lives, while developing connections to each other and their worlds. Talking about the texts and reading aloud to one another builds their confidence and emotional awareness (while also developing their vocabulary and critical thinking).

When children and teens experience belonging, they are better able to cultivate trusting relationships, manage their emotions, and learn new skills while benefiting their cognitive and physical health. To facilitate this critical sense of belonging, young people need to be provided with opportunities for belonging and connection. This year, we plan to do just that.

To get involved, please visit https://www.wordsalive.org/becomeavolunteer.

References

Gopalan, M., Linden-Carmichael, A. Lanza, S. (2022). College Students’ Sense of Belonging and Mental Health Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, Journal of Adolescent Health, 70(2), 228-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.010

Foster CE, Horwitz A, Thomas A, Opperman K, Gipson P, Burnside A, Stone DM, King CA. Connectedness to family, school, peers, and community in socially vulnerable adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review. 2017;81:321–331.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.010

Meet Helen, Our New Learning Design for Social Impact Intern!

Hello Words Alive Community! I’m Helen Rigby, the new Learning Design for Social Impact Intern. I’m thrilled and honored to be given this incredible opportunity to work with an organization I have loved and admired for almost two years.

I became a Words Alive trained reader for the Read Aloud program in November 2021 at a Boys & Girls Club In North County San Diego. I was then the reader at the club for the kindergarten and first grade group for over a year. In January, I became the facilitator for the Adolescent Book Group for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders at a North County Middle School.

I loved being a reader to the little ones and then also being able to create a safe space for deeper discussion for the middle schoolers, so when I saw this internship opportunity I was beyond excited!

In hopes to connect with you all better, let me further introduce myself:

I’ve been lucky enough to call San Diego home for almost thirty years.

In December, I graduated with my B.A. in Human Development and a minor in Literature Studies from California State University San Marcos.

I also hold a Creative Writing Certificate with an emphasis in poetry from UCLA’s Extension Center.

In my undergraduate studies I created a reading program for dyslexic elementary students called Reading Warriors. That program was based in theoretical research and implementation strategies that focused on meeting the students where they’re at by using specific books written for dyslexic children in order to improve their reading compression skills like fluency, decoding, recognition, and speed.

Most recently, I wrote the curriculum for (and am currently implementing) a forty-three-book summer reading program called, Bookworms, for kindergarten and first graders at my local Boys and Girls Club. This program utilizes educational and engaging books to support members’ vocabulary development and improve their listening comprehension skills. Each story is followed by a fun activity to inspire creativity and to encourage making new friends.

I greatly enjoy writing curriculum to make reading both fun for children and also accessible to students with reading disabilities. I struggled a lot with reading when I was younger and never wanted to read because it was stressful for me. Once I learned that reading could be fun, it really depended on having access to the right books, I couldn’t stop reading! I fell in love with the quirky and endearing nature of Amelia Bedelia and the hidden island of Mistmantle where animals talked.

I love reading now and I want to help open the door to how fun and wonderful reading is to any child who struggles like I did. The Words Alive mission and programs align so perfectly with what I’m passionate about along with my own relationship to reading. Having interesting, relevant, and engaging books makes reading fun! Words Alive helps children of all ages grow their libraries and grow their love of reading so they can become life-long explorers of the page.

When I was the K & 1st reader and then later as the ABG facilitator, I saw first-hand how shy and distant students grew into excited, focused, and confident readers and participants all thanks to the books, reading guides, and crafts that Words Alive creates and offers. The students’ reading confidence then overflowed into other areas of their lives like their friendships, sports, other academics, leading discussions, and overall self-esteem.

My passion for reading and curriculum writing has inspired me to pursue an online M.A. in Literacy Education and Learning Design from Arizona State University.

Outside of reading and creating curriculum, I enjoy the next best thing, creative writing! I write poetry and fiction and currently have a book published in both of those genres. I was a yoga instructor for five years and enjoy restorative yoga. I also play harps and crystal bowls. I love scrapbooking, crafting, going to different botanic gardens, and snuggling with my ten-year-old parrot, Tobie.

I’m very happy and grateful to be here, and I greatly look forward to meeting and working with you all!

Book Recommendations: For poetry I would have to say The Wild Iris by Louise Glück, for non-fiction I loved Venus & Aphrodite by Bettany Hughes, for fiction I enjoyed Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck.

Meet Our New Storytelling Intern, Steven!

Introducing another new addition to the Words Alive team: our summer Storytelling Intern, Steven Zhao!

Steven is on the right!

Steven’s drive to engage with Words Alive’s undertaking of empowerment through literacy and tell the stories of its individuals, communities, and programs is driven by a love for reading and other forms of human expression as well as a fervent appreciation of literature as a crucial medium through which people contemplate their lived experiences.

His work as a storytelling intern is informed by his personal journey with reading and his learning experiences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), at which he pursues a major in communication studies and a minor in philosophy. 

Steven’s bicultural identity and exposure to books in both English and Chinese growing up served as major sources of nurture and wonder, whether that is in learning to understand viewpoints and worlds different from his own, contemplating expressed messages and values, or in being challenged to reflect on himself. In combination with his studies, he believes reading to be not just the consumption of the written word, but a well of potential for enjoyment and meaning and an integral aspect of the human capacity for communication. 

In terms of his minor, Steven is most interested in the areas of moral and political philosophy. He places high value on and believes in the benefits of curiosity, a lifelong capability for learning, and approaching unfamiliar ideas with critical thinking and charity. He resonates with how reading and Words Alive’s programs empower communities through cultivating these traits. 

Steven’s experience with reading has also inspired him to explore creative expression. He wrote for the Arts and Entertainment section of the Daily Bruin, enjoys creative writing, and is currently taking an intensive screenwriting program at UCLA’s Summer Film Institute as he works with Words Alive virtually from LA.

In his free time, Steven loves to take in fantasy books, Dungeons and Dragons podcasts, and mystery shows. He also enjoys working holistically on his health by working out and keeping a journal. Occasionally he likes to turn his brain off and play Pokémon or League of Legends. He is also a tenor for UCLA’s Awechords A Capella. 

How did you discover Words Alive? What drew you to interning here?

I discovered Words Alive through their posting on Handshake! I was drawn to the storytelling internship as it aligned with my personal passions and professional interests. Reading is and has been such a significant source of enjoyment for me, and I love to immerse myself in the awesome worlds and stories authors create. 

Now that I’m older, I’ve also realized that I have extracted so much meaning from the various stories I’ve read over the years that contribute to the way I look at the world. Words Alive interested me as an organization that works to improve literacy, and resonates deeply with me in its understanding of reading as a crucial skill set and critical to social and cognitive development. 

What book or story has had a big impact on you? Do you have a favorite quote?

““Sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a [person] in the process of changing” ”

— Dalinar Kholin, The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

That would probably be The Stormlight Archive, an ongoing fantasy book series by my favorite author Brandon Sanderson. Set to be two five-book halves with a time skip in the middle, The Stormlight Archive is truly a story of epic proportions and great detail that is deserving of multiple rereads. It has an incredible thoughtfulness and complexity behind its interwoven storylines and there is an astounding attention to detail and consideration in its world building. 

This series is host to a plot of great scale, yet both this greater plot and the individual, interlocking stories of its diverse cast of characters are well written and exude urgency. Its most recent release, Rhythm of War, ended with quite literally one of the craziest twists that I’ve ever read and subverted expectations going forward in a very unsettling manner. 

The Stormlight Archive also uses its expansive world, cast, and story to ask a multitude of poignant questions throughout its different books – What is the value of a human life? When does one take responsibility? When is the law right? What lengths are justifiable in the face of a great threat? What is worth fighting for? – and more while exploring those questions from varying perspectives. Importantly, I feel that the story is, at its core, about broken people trying to get back up on their feet and figure out what they think is the right thing to do. It’s a story of resilience. 

What is your favorite recent read?

My favorite recent read is actually a fanfiction named Doors to the Unknown by Silver Pyromancer on the SpaceBattles forum. It’s a crossover between the Dungeons and Dragons universe and the self-published web serial Worm by John C. “Wildbow” McCrae, and it follows the related stories of a functionally immortal psionicist who travels across worlds and an unlikely band of stranded superheroes and villains who have to team up to survive in an unknown world. I’m a gigantic fan of stories with vast and intricate worldbuilding, and I’m incredibly impressed by the way Doors to the Unknown worked the complexities of D&D and Worm together in a way that made sense while having also compelling character arcs.

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We are so excited to have Steven on our team! Are you interested in working with Words Alive? You can find open internship and employment opportunities here or click here to learn about how to volunteer with us!