2024 Read Aloud Program Volunteer of the Year: Mercedes Santiago

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.

2024 Community Engagement Volunteer of the Year: Brian Fidler

by vikki bowes-mok, words alive volunteer

Brian Fidler is Words Alive’s Community Engagement Volunteer of the Year. 

This award is new this year and was created to recognize extraordinary efforts to mobilize a volunteer’s own community to support Words Alive. We tend to think of engagement as “time, talent, and treasure” - Brian goes above and beyond in all of these! In addition to spreading the word about our organization, programs, and volunteer opportunities, Brian helps fundraise for Words Alive by activating his friends, family, and personal network. He also is a consistent volunteer with the Adolescent Book Group and a new member of the Words Alive Board of Directors.

Brian at a pickleball tournament fundraiser he organized for Words Alive

Brian lives in San Diego and is a retired Episcopal priest, who taught and spent 38 years as a chaplain in independent day and boarding schools around the country. In addition to his work with Words Alive, he spends a lot of time writing.

Now let’s hear from Brian about his work with Words Alive.

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

I started volunteering in the Adolescent Book Group (ABG) because of the Words Alive mission “to open opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading.” I continue to volunteer three years later because it makes a difference! Note: Brian also serves on the Words Alive’s board of directors.

Is there a story you’d like to share about working with Words Alive?

Volunteering with Words Alive is energizing because of its great mission, an amazing and hard-working staff, wonderfully talented and committed volunteer teammates in the classroom (shout out to Meg and Darlanne), and especially the young people with whom we work. We’ve had the joy of tracking alongside the same teacher and many of the same students for three years now, and the growth in their love of reading and discussion is gratifying. Not every day in the life of an adolescent is high octane, but we get to be with them on some of those days, most notably when they reveal some breakthrough insight into the reading, or a character, and especially themselves. When you work alongside adolescents, you’re in it for the long game, and it is so totally worth it!

What are you reading right now?

In the ABG program, we’re reading graphic novels now: Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos; Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall; and Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivarez. In my own personal reading, I just finished The Women, by Kristin Hannah.

Any book recommendations?

If you like historical fiction, I would definitely recommend The Women, by Kristin Hannah. In fiction, I’d also recommend The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride.

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

In addition to reading, I also love to write.

2024 Curriculum Designer of the Year: Vivian Lin

By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer

Vivian Lin is the Words Alive Curriculum Designer of the Year. Curriculum designers create curriculum guides and learning kits that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand visually. Vivian joined the Words Alive team in 2020 and now serves as our curriculum design lead volunteer, managing a multinational team of other design volunteers. Vivian improves program efficiency and ensures accurate data while leveling up our training materials with her design expertise. No matter the task, Vivian completes it quickly and accurately.

Vivian lives in Los Angeles but says her heart will always be in San Diego. She is a master’s student in applied data science at USC and will graduate in May 2024.

Now let’s hear from Vivian about her work with Words Alive.

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

It's very inspiring to be surrounded by great people who share the same passion!

Is there a story you’d like to share about working with Words Alive?

I joined Words Alive when I was still a student in UCSD (back in 2020!) and throughout the years, I’ve seen how the organization has grown and become so much bigger than what it was years ago. I love how we always look for new ways to engage the communities we serve. I really enjoy volunteering with the organization and am very proud to be a part of the large volunteer community with Words Alive!

What are you reading right now?

Circe by Madeline Miller

2024 Curriculum Translator of the Year: Alinka Avendaño

By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer

Alinka Avendaño is Words Alive’s Curriculum Translator of the Year. At Words Alive, an extraordinary team of volunteers translates content into 10 languages beyond English in order to make our resources accessible to more families. Curriculum Translator of the Year recognizes a volunteer who took on many translation projects with fast and reliable turnaround, creating quality literacy materials and furthering Words Alive’s mission.

Alinka, who lives in Leon, Nicaragua, is a therapist and owner of Psychological Center ARIE, where she offers therapy and workshops for children, teens and adults. She’s also a brand ambassador for All Therapy Resources where she translates material. 

Now let’s hear from Alinka about her work with Words Alive.

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

I volunteer because I love to read, work with children and meet new people with the same passions.

Is there a story you’d like to share about working with Words Alive?

Working with Words Alive has been a fulfilling experience, I have met kind people and watching how they work with books, families and children has provided great lessons for me.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician's Guide by Lisa Ferentz. I read psychology books mostly.

Any book recommendations?

The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel Siegel 

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I’m easy going but passionate about the things I enjoy including music, hiking, and mental health.

2024 Curriculum Writer of the Year: Helen Rigby

By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer

Helen Rigby is Word’s Alive Curriculum Writer of the Year. This distinction honors a standout volunteer who creates curriculum guides and learning kits to help our volunteers talk about the story with students as well as family/student-facing guides with step-by-step craft instructions and discussion questions.

Helen lives in California and is a Behavior Technician implementing ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy with children with disabilities and learning differences. She spends a lot of time writing her own books and mainly poetry. She also loves going on nature walks, spending time with her parrot, Tobie, scrapbooking and puzzles.

Tobie, Helen’s parrot

Now let’s hear from Helen about her work with Words Alive.

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

I volunteered with Words Alive because I have always loved reading and writing. Once I saw the opportunity to be an intern who wrote curriculum for the organization, I knew I had to apply since it combined not only my love of reading and writing, but my love of working with kids and helping them love reading as well! Before my internship, I was a Read Aloud Reader to the K &1st group at my local boys and girl’s club for over a year and I loved it! Then I led the Adolescent Book Group sessions for 6-8th graders.

Is there a story you’d like to share about working with Words Alive?

It was such a joy to see how confident the kiddos became not just in their reading comprehension and listening skills, but their overall confidence in who they are. I witnessed so many students go from being shy and sitting in the back to moving to the front and making friends during activity time. Words Alive doesn’t just help kids with reading, Words Alive helps kids be themselves! It gives them space to grow. 

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Owls and Other Fantasies by Mary Oliver and Time and Materials by Robert Hass.

Any book recommendations?

Two of my favorite books to recommend are: The Wild Iris by Louise Glück and Thirst by Mary Oliver. For fiction lovers, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman.

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

Just how honored and grateful I am to have been selected as the Curriculum Writer of the Year. Working for Words Alive was truly such a dream come true. Out of all the volunteer work I’ve done, it was by far my favorite. I was able to be myself, fully, and have fun! I will cherish those memories my whole life. So THANK YOU!! 

2024 Social Media Volunteer of the Year: Megan Tam

BY VIKKI BOWES-MOK, WORDS ALIVE VOLUNTEER

Megan Tam is Words Alive’s Social Media Volunteer of the Year.

This award honors a volunteer who went above and beyond making sure the stories of our students, teachers, volunteers, and staff are shared worldwide with over 6,000 people each month..

“We are so impressed by and grateful for her efforts to manage everything related to our TikTok platform, which she practically single handedly revitalized last year,” said Words Alive’s social media lead volunteer. “From handling communications and content organization to managing TikTok strategy and implementation to educating Words Alive volunteers and staff on our newest social media platform, we are so grateful to have her part of the team!”

Megan is a junior in high school and loves to play sports (basketball, volleyball, and football are her favorites), oil paint, and volunteer at soup kitchens. She’s also an avid F1 fan and loves reading fantasy and romcom books. 

In addition to the Social Media Squad, Megan also volunteers as a Page Turner. Let’s hear from Megan about her work with Words Alive.

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

I volunteer because I love reading and I want to help others grow a love for reading.

Is there a story you’d like to share about working with Words Alive?

I volunteered with Words Alive as a Champion for the Champions for Youth fundraising competition. I think it's astonishing to see how much money we were able to raise and all the support we can give to underprivileged communities with that money. 

What are you reading right now?

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, Part 2) by J.R.R. Tolkien

Any book recommendations?

Six of Crows by by Leigh Bardugo 

Meet Jesus, our March Page Turner of the Month!

Page Turner of the Month

This March, we are happy to recognize Jesus Rodriguez as Page Turner of the month! Jesus has been a Page Turner since December 2023 and has since read nine books, totaling 17.7 hours and 1,714 pages. This is what Jesus had to say about their time volunteering with Words Alive.  

Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? 

Hello! I am a 2nd year at UCLA studying Political Science and Public Affairs. Aside from my studying and reading, I am a BGS intern who serves students who have faced homelessness and were in the foster care system. In the future, I hope to work to create public policy that improves the lives of marginalized groups in Los Angeles. 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering? 

I love to cook traditional meals. Growing up in a Mexican household I loved to cook with my Abuelita every night and for any special occasion. My favorite dish to make was simple yet so flavorful, a classic shrimp taco.  

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

It has allowed me to deepen my understanding of other diverse cultures within my community. I got the unique ability to read about their perspectives and the greater society as a whole.  

What is your favorite book(s) so far? 

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me has been my absolute favorite by far. Seeing how this book tackles sensitive topics regarding relationships is important to read, especially as a college student learning the importance of friendships and how to manage them. 

Shout out to Jesus for all the time they’ve dedicated to Words Alive! We are so thankful for their participation and insight. 

If you would like to join Jesus in their participation, you can sign up to be a Page Turner here.  

Meet Lanie, our new Page Turners Intern!

Hi everyone! My name is Lanie, and I am the new Page Turners Intern. I am so excited to have this opportunity and be of any service to our Page Turners community! Literature and reading are my longest, consistent relationship. It was the first place that made me feel understood and that I wasn’t alone. I leaned into it more when both of my parents were deported by the time I was 12 years old. I sought out my confusion and frustration through books and discovered a plethora of people who felt the same as I did and shared similar experiences. I fell in love with the power of words and learning.   

I recently received my B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing where I focused on decolonizing the cannon and curriculum. My main aspirations lay on creating art—mostly performing and writing—but I mainly strive to have people feel that they have a place in this world. That they belong to take up space and are not alone. By sharing our stories, and listening and uplifting other folk’s experiences, we can become more compassionate with ourselves and one another. I believe we can accomplish this through learning because learning is liberation. I plan on either getting my masters in Hispanic Literature or becoming an immigration lawyer. I want to be an asset and resource for my community.

What intrigued you about Words Alive? What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

I came across Words Alive by fate. After college, I wanted to challenge myself with new experiences that aligned with my mission in life. Reading and learning is incredibly important to me because both my grandmother and mother sacrificed their girlhood so that my siblings and I could have an education. Reading and learning was my only solace growing up. Even though I didn’t have a support system in real life, I received visibility and support through art and literature. Literacy is such an important (and fun!) aspect in life, and I plan to help people learn to love it and challenge themselves to be critical thinkers. Words Alive’s mission is exactly what I was looking to getting into after college, and I am so excited to see where this journey takes me. 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering? 

In my free time, I like to read, write, and draw. I love to learn new facts and perspectives of historical events, so you will usually find me watching a YouTube video or show while writing or drawing. I have an Instagram under my performer pseudonym where I post my published work. I love being creative and challenging myself so I’m constantly changing hobbies, but reading and writing are my most consistent.

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende.

Meet Yiyang

Yiyang with her cat Eggie

In February 2024, Words Alive excitedly welcomed Yiyang Hu to the team as our Curriculum Development Intern! A Baylor University alumnus, she is currently pursuing a master's degree in Developmental Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her graduate studies have deepened her interest in curriculum development and instructional design, particularly how educational content and teaching strategies can significantly impact learning outcomes. At Words Alive, she hopes to explore these interests further and contribute to creating engaging and effective educational programs.

Fun fact: Yiyang is originally from Chengdu, China, also known as the hometown of pandas!

Now, a few words from Yiyang:

What intrigued you about Words Alive? Why did you want to join the team?

As a first-generation college student, I have a profound appreciation for the importance of education. The diversity and inclusivity of Words Alive deeply resonate with me. The organization is committed to making reading an integral part of everyone's life, especially for those families and individuals with limited economic, educational, and social resources. To me, Words Alive's efforts to enhance students' reading skills and promote reading awareness are crucial. In today's society, reading is not just a skill but an ability—a way to connect with the world. Innovative programs like the Adolescent Book Group and the Early Literacy Intervention model, to ensure that every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to literacy and the benefits it brings is truly inspiring.

Furthermore, I am deeply moved by your dedication to the Family Literacy Program. Providing parents with tools and techniques to encourage their children to read help ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to access books and pursue their dreams. Knowing that Words Alive reaches thousands of students and families, helping them to develop critical reading and cognitive skills, and fostering a joy for reading, aligns perfectly with my own values of education and community service.

What are you most excited about in your new position?

In my new position, I am most excited about refining my technical skills, specifically enhancing my proficiency in instructional design with an emphasis on improving quality control for educational materials. My experience so far has been centered on creating lesson plans for classes of around 30 students. Now, I aim to further develop my skills in monitoring and enhancing the quality of educational content, ensuring alignment with best practices, and identifying areas for improvement. I also look forward to advancing my abilities in managing, organizing, and analyzing curriculum-related data to make well-informed recommendations for curriculum enhancements.

Additionally, I am eager to improve my program management and interpersonal skills. By actively engaging in the planning, execution, and evaluation of educational programs, as well as in post-program analysis, I hope to learn how to effectively match program objectives with educational outcomes, optimize program delivery, and employ data-driven strategies to measure program impact. Currently, I thoroughly enjoy participating in weekly meetings at Words Alive. The community here is incredibly supportive and kind, sharing successes, challenges, and priorities. I truly appreciate the collaborative atmosphere and the opportunity to contribute to our collective goals.

What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

My relationship with literacy and learning is itself a journey. From learning how to pronounce letters and words to reading my first sentence, I've built a valuable foundation and platform that would ultimately guide me towards success.

Hans Christian Andersen’s Selected Fairy Tales

This love I speak of is my passion for reading, writing, and literacy skills. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the value of reading, guiding me towards picking up books in my spare time. Growing up without the distractions of a cellphone, I found joy in the pages of books. Despite the increasing demands of academic life as I grew older, I've maintained the habit of reading, often indulging in books before going to bed. One of the books I cherished most in my childhood was Selected Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen. His tales, brimming with whimsy and intrigue, such as my favorite, The Emperor's New Clothes, for its humor and fun. The story is not only entertaining with its engaging plot and vivid characterizations but also easy to read and joyful. It imparts a profound lesson: truth and honesty are more valuable than superficial splendor and insincere flattery. This story taught me to value authenticity.

In essence, my relationship with literacy and learning is more than just a means to gain knowledge; it's a lifestyle that leads me to explore the world, understand humanity, and inspires a passion for education and personal development. Through my experiences and efforts, I hope to inspire others to also experience the joy and value that literacy and learning bring.

What are you currently reading?

Recently I am reading a book called The Courage to Be Disliked. There's a passage that resonated with me deeply, which I'd love to share:

"Life is not about measuring up to others' expectations, but about striving towards the best version of oneself. We do not live to meet the expectations of others, but to live out our own lives. Being spoken ill of or disliked is nothing to worry about because how someone views you is their issue to deal with."

The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

As someone who often finds herself caught between sensitivity and a concern for others' opinions, this book has been a mirror, showing me the depth of my self-conflict. If you've ever felt paralyzed by worrying about what others think, if you're a people-pleaser who struggles to assert your own needs, or if you find it difficult to reject requests from others, I can't recommend this book enough. It offers a fresh perspective on how to navigate the world while being true to oneself.

PNC Bank: Inspiring Young Readers with Words Alive

BY ben hollingshead, WORDS ALIVE VOLUNTEER

“Individually we are one drop. Together we are the ocean” — Ryunosuke Satoro, renowned Japanese poet

PNC Bank, as part of their Grow Up Great® initiative, has a long history of partnering with organizations at the local and national levels to develop resources and programs that help prepare young children for success in school and life. In San Diego, PNC is collaborating with Words Alive’s Family Literacy Program to engage parents to promote positive reading habits at home.

The Family Literacy Program builds on research that shows that involving families in working directly with their children on learning activities at home is the most effective form of engagement. In 2022-23, the program reached 1,411 San Diego families and has a demonstrated track record of positive outcomes. Last program year, we saw 81% growth in the number of families who reported looking at books together every day and a 125% increase in the number of families who spent 20+ minutes looking at books together.

The Family Literacy Program will be able to positively impact additional San Diego families with generous funding from PNC. What is exciting is that PNC’s support is holistic: PNC employees are encouraged to volunteer, and the bank provides them with the time and resources to do just that. PNC employees will spend their time working in partnership with Words Alive as early literacy workshop instructors, support volunteers, delivery drivers for books/materials, and family outreach volunteers to speak with families who are not attending sessions to help troubleshoot, assist with logistics, and improve access.

“PNC Bank is excited to collaborate with Words Alive to prepare children in San Diego County for success in school and in life,” Alan Prohaska, PNC Bank Regional President. “Through volunteerism, financial support and community advocacy, this partnership will truly make a difference for the youngest learners in our community.”

The soon-to-be-transformed Volunteer Collaboration Center Powered by PNC Bank

In November 2023, PNC Bank sponsored Words Alive’s Volunteer Collaboration Center to support volunteer onboarding and training activities for current and prospective volunteers who work directly with children and families, develop curriculum, and support program operations. Currently under construction, the Words Alive Volunteer Collaboration Center Powered by PNC Bank honors the 1,000+ volunteers in San Diego and across the globe that power Words Alive every year.

Words Alive is incredibly grateful for a partner who consistently aims to lean into service and the community. Together we hope to empower families to build strong reading habits to discover the growth and the magic catalyzed by the love for books.