Congratulations, Spy! How does it feel?
Like a million bucks! Like I'm wrapped in sunshine! Like I just got a BINGO! Like I'm on top of the world!
How did you first get involved at 826CHI?
A few years ago, a friend of mine who works at GirlForward showed me a book of stories that her students published through an 826CHI program, and I was blown away! I wanted to get in on the creative writing extravaganza, so I applied to be an intern in the Spring of 2016. I ended up becoming an Educational Programming intern that semester, and I've been coming back to 826CHI as a volunteer ever since.
What has been your favorite 826 experience so far?
It's hard to pick just one, but as an intern, I had a blast working with all of 826CHI's weekend workshops. At the end of my internship, I helped put together an anthology of student writing from these workshops called 'Not Minding How Gloomy It Looks Outside.' It was inspiring to see all of these incredible stories and poems take shape, from inception to publication.
What do you do when you aren't working undercover?
When I'm overcover, I work as a producer for a true crime podcast and dedicate large portions of my free time to cheering on Minnesota sports teams.
OH! A true crime podcast? Can you tell us the name of it and a brief description?
For some weird, complicated employment reasons, I actually can't publicize the name of the podcast. Sorry!
Are you from Minnesota?
I am from Minnesota! The greatest state in the country.
Our top agents always have the best codenames. What’s yours?
Up until recently, my codename was 'SkittleSloth,' on account of my affinity for Skittles and Sloths. However, after careful consideration, it has since been changed to 'Kevin.'
Any words of wisdom for aspiring spies of the month?
Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, spies. That's what you've earned here tonight. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!
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.
