Page Turners Intern-mission

Hey, everyone!

Lanie here giving you a quick intern-mission (see what I did there) to give y’all an update about my experience here at Words Alive.

My time as the Page Turners intern is coming to a close. This internship has given me the opportunity to see up close the power of literature, and how it brings communities together. Our mission can only truly be done with the help of our volunteer’s time and engagement. Seeing all the people who volunteer and take their time to help make an impact to our schools was gratifying, to say the least. It only made me become more passionate about continuing to become a resource for my community.

Reading, especially, accessible reading is crucial for our social and critical development. Folks from all types of backgrounds and ages helped create a path of change in the education system while experiencing the power of reading. Our future generations have you to thank for our dedication to their education. Reading the reviews, and discovering new titles to add to our curriculum made me wish I had something similar when I was younger. It's such a fun, engaging way to connect, and simultaneously give back to our community.

I appreciate interning at Words Alive, and meeting a team that is welcoming and encouraging about my growth. Most importantly, I had a manager who empathetically guided me through the highs and lows that come with working in non-profits and education. I couldn’t have picked a better introduction into the hectic, yet thrilling, career of education and education equality. I am so proud to have worked here, and am excited to see where the future leads me next.

Monthly Heroes

By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer

Since 2015, Karen Malin has donated to Words Alive — every month!

“By giving monthly, I am actually able to increase my support as compared to making one donation, which might have more of an impact on my budget,” said Karen Malin, a Words Alive Board member, who learned about the nonprofit from a bookmark she received at an author event at Warwick’s. “As a retired educator, I am convinced that providing opportunities for children and their families to enjoy reading, to create stronger bonds by sharing books together and to increase home libraries are all vital for creating equal life opportunities for children of all backgrounds.” 

Words Alive’s sustaining donor model is a convenient way for supporters to provide crucial and reliable support to provide exemplary programming that makes reading matter to the 5,000+ children, teens, and families Words Alive serves each year.

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, “recurring-giving programs are growing in popularity. And for good reason: Donors who give monthly are more likely to stick with an organization. They also provide a reliable source of revenue and are likely to give more over their lifetime than donors who give once or twice a year.”

This has proven true for Words Alive, which nurtures its eight monthly donors and hopes to expand the regular giving with new supporters.

“Regular contributions from monthly donors enable us to have a greater, and sustainable, long-term impact in the San Diego community,” said Tracy Dahlkamp, Donor Engagement Manager for Words Alive. “We appreciate all our donors so much but are especially grateful to those who are able to contribute monthly.”

Words Alive understands the life-changing power of reading. Reading helps people succeed in school and the workplace but reading also changes lives in ways far beyond this. The purpose of Words Alive is to make reading matter – truly matter – for young people and families in every community in San Diego and beyond, so they have the power to write their own stories. 

“I really wanted to support Words Alive not only with my volunteer time and specific talents, but financially as well,” said Malin, a passionate advocate for education and reading. “People should remember that you don’t have to have a large bank account, a big trust fund or a huge income to be able to make an impact financially. The smaller monthly donations definitely do add up and help to keep the fires burning!”

To join our team of monthly heroes, simply click here and choose “recurring” - you will be able to adjust the amount, frequency, and duration of your gift. Thank you so much for your support of our mission to inspire young readers!

Meet Cecilia, Our June Page Turner of the Month

Page Turner of the Month

This June, we are happy to recognize Cecilia Zhao (She/Her/Hers) as Page Turner of the month! Cecilia has been a Page Turner since October, 24, 2022, and has since read 17 books, totaling 32 hours and 15 minutes.

Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? (As much as you’re willing to share)

I’m a life coach, a mom, a learning & development professional, an ex-auditor, and a hospice volunteer from Toranto. Every day I wake up with the passion and courage to inspire growth through a lens of curiosity, so that we can live wholeheartedly to flourish.

How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive?

Page Turners was one of our featured volunteer opportunities back in 2022 for Connect Days as part of our EY Ripples Program!

What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering?

Reading (obviously), playing Chinese Zither, pole dancing, writing are what I do almost everyday. I have many other hobbies/interests such as crafting, rock climbing, puzzles, hiking, gaming…to name a few.

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

I’m always amazed how diverse and inclusive the society has become. When I was a kid, the values and norms you could find through reading were slightly more diverse than my environment, but still quite limited. Today, there is so much freedom, love, acceptance and empathy in our world reflected through the books. I love accessing that myself, and I love passing that onto more people (especially our younger generations) through reading with Page Turners.

What is your favorite book(s) so far?

That’s a hard question…my recency bias would definitely say Imogen, Obviously for a thoughtful and intimate, self discovery and romance story. I really enjoyed The Moon Within for what I didn’t experience when I was a teenager – the self acceptance journey and beautiful cultural celebration of a girl coming-of-age. It was written in poem style which was a new experience for me. I would also mention Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me as it officially introduced me into the world of graphic novels. Its messy yet real stories about toxic relationships shows perfectly what true growth looks like. 

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

Creator of Award-Winning "Isla to Island" Visits Words Alive's Teens and Tweens

In April 2024, Words Alive was thrilled to bring Alexis Castellanos, author and illustrator of the award-winning graphic novel Isla to Island, to connect with young learners in San Diego. Thanks to a generous donation by Elaine Galinson, Words Alive coordinated in-person and virtual author visits where Alexis engaged 70 youth in lively discussion, each of whom received a new copy of Isla to Island to keep. 

Isla to Island is stunning wordless graphic novel set in the 1960s that chronicles young Marisol’s journey from Cuba to the United States while exploring what home means to her. This remarkable debut graphic novel quickly landed on several top booklists, including American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Books, School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year, and the New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids.

Why Author Visits Matter

Meeting authors behind the characters we love deepens the context of what we read and encourages learners to imagine themselves as thinkers, readers, and future creators of stories that shape our world. Those moments spark curiosity and can change the way young people view who and what belongs on the page, especially when the authors reflect readers’ identities and lived experiences.

Excitingly, Alexis is an incredibly relatable and relevant author for the youth we serve. As a young adult with a story about immigration, foster care, coming of age, and the refugee experience, Alexis quickly bonded with the youth in attendance. Conversations blossomed in both English and Spanish, including Alexis and the students laughing about the differences between Cuban Spanish and the Spanish spoken in Mexico and Central America.

Words Alive’s most effective author experiences bring writers, learners, and our community together to explore and respond to themes of the text. To increase access and engage multiple partners, we offered a virtual option as well as an in-person event:

• San Diego Public Library:  In early April, Words Alive coordinated a virtual visit from Alexis at the Mission Valley branch of the San Diego Public Library for a spring break camp of 4th – 7th grade students. Intentionally timed to overlap with the second day of Words Alive’s Art & Lit “Graphic Tales” project anchored in the exploration of graphic novels, the visit served as a thrilling introduction to graphic novels and the creative process behind the medium. The students were incredibly engaged and asked many questions; one young person even came prepared with an impressive list of questions that Alexis was more than happy to answer! In addition to the 15 learners in attendance, several Words Alive volunteers supporting our teen programming logged on to participate. Every child received a new copy of Isla to Island, including signed editions for all students who desired them.

• Monarch School: A longtime partner of Words Alive, Monarch School serves young people facing housing instability. In late April, Words Alive brought Alexis to San Diego to visit with three classrooms at Monarch School. Alexis engaged 55 students across 6th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade classrooms in discussion about her novel and family, the process of creating and publishing graphic novels, as well as her career trajectory in the publishing industry. Students were especially excited to learn about the process behind creating the art and visual layout of the novel, particularly once they realized Alexis uses some of the same graphics software they do at school.  At the conclusion of the visit, Alexis signed a copy of Isla to Island for every student to add to their personal library.

Thank you to the San Diego Public Library and Monarch School for their collaboration in these incredibly successful events. Our deepest gratitude to Elaine Galinson, whose generous investment made these author visits possible.

We are truly grateful for the commitment of our partners to connecting young San Diegans with the power of reading through enabling joyful, engaging experiences between youth from historically disinvested communities and the creators of stories relevant to their lives.

Meet Tanya, our May Page Turner of the Month!

Page Turner of the Month 

This May, we are happy to recognize Tanya Mishra as Page Turner of the month! Tanya has been a Page Turner since April 8th, 2024, and has since read 4 books, totaling 20 hours and 1,024 pages. 

1. Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? (As much as you’re willing to share) 

   My name is Tanya Mishra (She/Her), and I am an Arizona resident. I have a sister, and I am a sophomore in high school.  

2. How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive?  

   I came across this page turners when I was looking online for ways to volunteer to help my community. 

3. What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering? 

   I love to run, play tennis, and read in my free time. I enjoy volunteering at the local cancer hospital to support the patients there. I also like to spend time with my friends and families. 

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

   Yes, reading with page turners has impacted my perspective because it made me realize how important and sometimes difficult quality education can be for some communities to get. 

5. What is your favorite book(s) so far? 

    My favorite book so far is "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, because it details the saddening effects of the world war and Jewish persecution on young children. 

Shout out to Tanya for all the time she’s dedicated to Words Alive! We are so thankful for her participation and insight.  

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

2024 Volunteer of the Year: Jane Hopkins

Every year, Words Alive celebrates a Volunteer of the Year whose passion and commitment to Words Alive’s mission creates a truly extraordinary impact in our community. After a decade of bringing stories alive in English and Spanish to hundreds of elementary school students, Words Alive is honored to recognize Jane Hopkins as the 2024 Words Alive Volunteer of the Year.

Born to a family of educators, literacy and education have always been core values for Jane. Her work as a bilingual reading specialist with San Diego elementary students introduced her to Rolling Readers, a nonprofit classroom reading organization. Her passionate volunteer service eventually led to serving on the Board of Directors of Rolling Readers, including being elected to Board Chair in 2009.

Jane and Bruce at Words Alive’s 2014 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

Jane joined the Words Alive community in 2014, when Words Alive merged with Rolling Readers to create our Read Aloud Program. She and her husband, Bruce, quickly became beloved members of the Words Alive family. They were even jointly recognized as Read Aloud Program Volunteers of the Year at Words Alive’s 2014 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!

Jane and Bruce’s passion for literacy shines through in their family, including a son who majored in English, a romance novelist daughter-in-law, and a five-year-old granddaughter who absolutely loves reading! Bruce passed away in 2022, though his legacy of service and learning lives on.

Today, Jane volunteers in eight classes at Burbank Elementary and Emerson Elementary. Jane also serves as a site lead for her schools, coordinating book deliveries and tirelessly recruiting new families to enroll in Words Alive’s programming.

Jane is also a remarkable fundraiser. She has volunteered for Champions for Youth - Words Alive’s largest fundraiser - every year we have participated, raising a total of nearly $20,000 by mobilizing her community to invest in Words Alive’s mission.

A cornerstone of the Read Aloud Program is the relationship built between the volunteer “reading role model” and the students they share stories with every week. Even years after Jane volunteered in their classroom, students will eagerly approach her to share memories of their time together and declare they still have the books she gave them!

Words Alive thanks Jane for her years of dedicated service and the impact she has made on countless young readers!

Meet Pranusha, our April Page Turner of the Month!

Page Turner of the Month!

This April, we are happy to recognize Pranusha Appanabhotla as Page Turner of the month! Pranusha has been a Page Turner since November 2022 and has since read fourteen books, totaling 36.5 hours and 2,918 pages.

1. Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? (As much as you’re willing to share)

Hello! I am Pranusha (she/her)! I'm a 7th grader who loves and enjoys reading books, writing, drawing, and building!! I'm very excited to be part of the Page turners community which helps me get closer to my interests, and help others at the same time!

2. How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive?

A teacher recommended it to me!!

3. What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering?

My hobbies are reading, writing stories, STEM building, and drawing!

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

I have many hobbies reading and writing which would be my top favorites! To see that by reading I can help my community and others around me brings me joy, especially since technology has taken over many lives! By reading Pageturner's books, I know more about the world around me as well!

5. What is your favorite book(s) so far?

My favorite books are "Mananland", "Apple: Skin to the Core", and "Guero"...These books all focus on people outside my culture, who have many different experiences!

Shout out to Pranusha for all the time she’s dedicated to Words Alive! We are so thankful for their participation and dedication. 

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

2024 Weekly Warrior of the Year: Karen Miller

By vikki bowes-mok, words alive volunteer

Karen Miller is Words Alive’s Weekly Warrior of the Year.

Week after week, Karen is a huge asset to our Learning Kit assembly team, improving processes and leveling up materials while patiently showing new volunteers the ropes. With an incredible eye for detail, her quality control ensures no child receives a kit missing a pom pom or googly eye!

By day, Karen is a quilter making treasures to donate to local children’s organizations. By night, she crochets baby beanies for Mary Birch Hospital and cuts/counts take-home projects for Words Alive. She has three grandchildren whom she adores and they love to ride roller coasters together. She recently began playing mahjong and is hooked.

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

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

Having taught preschool for 25 years, the mission of Words Alive is a natural fit for me. Children + Teachers + Books = Perfect Trifecta! I also value their inclusive philosophy, respecting each staff person and volunteer as an individual. I love the vibe at Words Alive. It's a happy, vibrant place, buzzing with productivity and camaraderie every week. I look at assembling the learning kits as wrapping a gift and I picture the children opening their gift with a bright smile and diving into a new book. Now, that's a beautiful thing.

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

Each week I’m reminded that many hands make “work” fun. I enjoy talking with volunteers and hearing their life experiences. I soak up their ideas and methods for a new or better way to get the job done. With Alex’s operations leadership and enthusiasm, Weekly Warriors is thriving and I’m so happy to be a part of the team.

What are you reading right now?

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Yes, that War and Peace. It’s a challenge and I’ve given myself permission to not finish it, if it comes to that.

Any book recommendations?

On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. Difficult subject matter yet the most beautifully written prose I've ever read. I learned that the author is a poet and this is his first novel. Bravo! (His name drew me in too.) 

Apeirogon by Colum McCann. I saw this book on the library shelf and said, “I don't even know what that word means.” So I googled the definition, read the book, and then was compelled to research further and watch interviews with the author and the story's real life dads. What a visceral reading experience — is this a true story, are they really forced to live like this, it’s unstable and confused — all of which the author said was intentional because that's the daily reality of the region and the people. Apeirogon is the most impactful book I've ever read, bar none.

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

“Don't judge a book by its cover.” Well, that's usually how I select a book - by its title. No book jacket reading for me. I want to know as little as possible about the story so I can read it without preconceived ideas, hints, or spoilers.

2024 Family Literacy Program Volunteer of the Year: Luann Mathson

By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer

Luann Mathson (née Raposo) is Words Alive’s Family Literacy Program Volunteer of the Year. Since 2022, she has inspired a love of learning with young children and families in her Family Literacy sessions. As an engineer, Luann is especially gifted at tying themes of science, curiosity, and exploration into her workshops.

The “Let’s Read with Words Alive” Family Literacy Program ignites the love of reading in young children and their families by nurturing book-sharing habits at home through play-centered strategies and building home libraries over 6-week sessions of early literacy workshops.

Luann lives in San Francisco where she is a medical device engineer and was a first generation college student. She is passionate about making STEM subjects and careers more accessible to students and families. She enjoys watercolor painting, running, reading, and traveling in her free time.

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

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

It brings me so much joy to see kids genuinely fascinated and excited about the books we read together! They point out little details in the illustrations or characters that I’ve never noticed before and often make me laugh. Their unique creativity and imaginations bring fun and excitement to every story. It’s all about having fun, using your imagination, and sparking the joy of reading

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

One time one of my students joined us to read wearing a full Spider-Man costume! We had a lot of fun trying to relate Spider-Man into the story. 

What are you reading right now?

I just got back from a trip to Chile, so I’m reading Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende since it was partially set in Valparaiso, a coastal city I traveled to.

Any book recommendations?

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

2024 Adolescent Book Group Volunteer of the Year: Meg Mandel

By Vikki Bowes-Mok, Words Alive Volunteer

Meg Mandel is Words Alive’s Adolescent Book Group Volunteer of the Year Award. The Adolescent Book Group (ABG) brings books alive for teenagers facing extraordinary circumstances such as unstable housing, systemic racism, and impact by the foster care and/or justice systems. Through projects, writing workshops, and spirited discussions, teens enhance their critical thinking skills, self-esteem, and ability to express themselves.

Meg has volunteered with Words Alive’s young adult programming since 2015, currently facilitating our teen book group at the Monarch School for youth facing housing instability. Her dedication to the students and program, coupled with her thorough preparation for each session, makes her an integral part of the book group team.

Meg lives in La Jolla and is the director of development for Congregation Beth Israel. She serves on the Women’s Philanthropy Board of the Jewish Federation of San Diego and is in a monthly book group that has been together for more than 10 years.

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

Why do you volunteer with Words Alive?

I love to read, and being part of Words Alive gives me a chance to share that with others. By fostering a love of reading, Words Alive helps students build confidence, expand horizons, learn about new ideas, and make connections to their own lives. Selfishly, being part of Words Alive is a lot of fun, and I always learn from the students in the class. It’s great to work as part of a team with committed volunteers, passionate teachers, and inspiring students. 

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

I am always energized and impressed by the students' insights and comments during discussions in our ABG sessions.

I have the privilege of working with several students for the second consecutive year. It has been wonderful to see so many of these students participate more actively in our ABG sessions. One student in particular stands out. Last year, he rarely spoke and was very reserved. This year, he takes initiative and contributes to discussions regularly. Watching him gain confidence and share his ideas is inspiring!

What are you reading right now?

I just started Trust by Hernan Diaz.

Any book recommendations?

I could go on and on, but a few of my top recommendations include:  Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann, The Overstory by Richard Powers, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, Commonwealth and Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri, Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy.

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love taking advantage of San Diego’s great weather by swimming, biking, hiking, and walking with friends.