Congratulations, Spy! How does it feel?:
It feels amazing!
How did you first get involved at 826CHI?:
I was looking for literary volunteer opportunities and luckily my friend put me on to 826.
What has been your favorite 826 experience so far?:
It’s a tie between re-learning math with students and illustrating the students’ story scene for a Field Trip.
What do you do when you aren't working undercover?:
I work on poetry, meet with artsy people and plot on how to make moves to Chicago.
Our top agents always have the best codenames. What’s yours?:
Z. Lizard
Any words of wisdom for aspiring spies of the month?:
It’s super rewarding to develop a ritual of being here to see the same kids and see their stories grow.
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.
