Congratulations, Spy! How does it feel?
I feel so honored to be selected as Spy of the Month!
How did you first get involved at 826CHI?
I found out about 826 years ago when I lived in DC and always wanted to volunteer, but the location was too out of the way for me. When I found out how accessible the Chicago location was after moving here, I knew it was finally time for me to sign up!
What has been your favorite 826 experience/project so far?
The first workshop I volunteered for was the Stop Motion Animation class. It was something I had always been curious about trying myself, but it was even more rewarding watching the students’ creativity and passion they put into their projects!
What do you do when you aren't working undercover?
I’m a designer by profession, so when I’m not working I’m working on personal art projects or traveling!
Our top agents always have the best codenames. What’s yours?
Agent Chatterbox
Any words of wisdom for aspiring spies of the month?
There are so many awesome ways to help out at 826, but the best part about it is the feeling you get from being there for others and helping out your community!
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.
