Congratulations, Spy! How does it feel?
It’s truly an honor.
How did you first get involved at 826CHI?
I have always feel passionate about local education nonprofit organizations. When I moved to Chicago, I stumbled upon 826CHI online a realized it combined all my favorite elements into one, and has been a great fit since
What has been your favorite 826 experience so far?
Delivering “the spiel” to a new customer, nailing the pitch and leading to great conversation and sale.
What do you do when you aren't working undercover?
I work at Amazon as an HR Business Partner in a Fulfillment Center in the suburbs. Outside of work, traveling, cooking and also Ambassadoring for Sofar Sounds Chicago.
Our top agents always have the best codenames. What’s yours?
Agent Smity (yes, I did make up a word of small and mighty...)
Any words of wisdom for aspiring spies of the month?
There are always SO many opportunities to get involved and the team is so grateful for your support. If schedules don’t work, just ask what else you can do to help!
Our 826 Day event on the roof of Ace Hotel Chicago was a beautiful celebration of our community from our donors to our students and everyone in between (pictured above is 826CHI supporter TASHA’s performance). Our book P.S. You Sound Like Someone I Can Trust was available in the hotel’s suites, Ace Hotel Chicago has hosted our annual love-themed print show featuring work by local artists inspired by our students writing on love, and their Senior Sales Manager, Tenasha Wilcoxon, spoke to our students in After-School Tutoring & Writing’s Speakers & Snacks series about what it’s like to work at a hotel.
The partnership between East Village Youth Program and 826CHI is a yearly collaboration to help students achieve their goal of being accepted into their college of choice and for many to be the first in their family to attend college. This fall, 826CHI staff and 12 volunteers worked with 13 high school seniors on their personal statements for college applications. The partnership continues in the Spring when 826CHI and volunteers will return to EVYP to support students as they apply for scholarships.
