Congratulations, Spy! How does it feel?:
Wow, this is so amazing! I am so happy to be part of this wonderful team that creates such a welcoming environment.
How did you first get involved at 826CHI?:
The first time I got involved at 826CHI was through one of my classes. I am a Teaching of English major, and I love the idea of being able to get hands-on with students and helping them expand on their writing/reading skills!
What has been your favorite 826 experience so far?:
Everything! I look forward to every session because it's fun and exciting! On top of that, I get to learn with the students because they bring their own talents to the table. If I were to highlight a session, it would be the flower dissecting project. It was so intriguing and the students were so engaged (I definitely came home that night and told all my relatives about it!)
What do you do when you aren't working undercover?:
I am a full-time student at the University of Illinois at Chicago! Besides my studies, I am an environmentalist and activist on issues that I care about the most!
Our top agents always have the best codenames. What’s yours?: marlen.apple
Any words of wisdom for aspiring spies of the month?:
Be kind, to everyone and everything! If we are more loving and appreciative of those around us, we can make a difference in our world and/or 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.
