Meet Haydeé

Written by Words alive team

Words Alive recently welcomed Haydeé Yanez (she/her) as our Interim Development Coordinator.

Haydeé Yanez aka Mexicons Art

Haydeé grew up in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico, where she was shaped by the richness, color, and creativity of life across both Californias. She studied graphic design at Universidad Iberoamericana and has since built a career designing and illustrating bilingual content — from hospitality materials to children’s books.

Alongside her professional work, Haydeé continues to develop her own line of cultural coloring books inspired by Mexican heritage, blending art, storytelling, and educational elements. In her free time, she enjoys watching classic films, reading nonfiction, and cooking with friends and family.

Now, a few words from Haydeé:

What drew you about Words Alive?

“I first became connected to Words Alive through my work as a children’s book designer and a Read Aloud school visit at Valencia Park Elementary School. I helped lead an activity with more than 200 students from pre-K through 2nd grade. We read together, answered questions, and explored how books are made behind the scenes.

I was so inspired by the experience — and especially by the Read Aloud Program — that I stayed in touch with the organization. When the opportunity came to join, I knew I wanted to be more involved.”

What are you most excited about in this role?

“Besides working alongside such amazing people and being surrounded by books, I’m excited to bring my design and content creation experience to help expand the reach of Words Alive’s mission — especially with children, families, and the broader community.”

What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

“I’ve been in publishing for the last decade, but I’ve always had a knack for reading. Growing up in Mexico in the 1980s, access to libraries and bookstores wasn’t very common, so when I received a book as a gift, I cherished it. I still have my childhood encyclopedia, Colibrí.

That early love of books led me into graphic design and editorial work in newspapers, magazines, and eventually bilingual children’s publishing. Today, I continue that journey through my own cultural coloring book projects that blend storytelling, learning, and elements like history, animals, and pop culture.”

What are you currently reading?

“I usually read two or three books at the same time, including Women Who Run with the Wolves and The Body Keeps the Score. The last book I finished was Communion by Bell Hooks — and I always recommend Just Kids by Patti Smith.”

Welcome, Haydeé — we are grateful to have your creativity and passion as part of the Words Alive community.

A Little Library, A Big Impact

Students at Design39Campus in the Poway Unified School District.

Sometimes, big community change starts with a group of curious 5th graders asking, "How can we help?"

That's exactly what happened when students at Design39Campus in the Poway Unified School District learned about book deserts in San Diego County, areas where children and families have limited access to books. After researching the issue, the students were inspired to take action and reached out to Words Alive to see how they could help bring more books into the hands of young readers.

What happened next was nothing short of inspiring…

The students raised an incredible $1,350 to support Words Alive's literacy programs and obtained a Little Free Library charter, determined to create a lasting impact in a community that could benefit from greater access to books.

Words Alive Family Program Manager Dr. Faryl Kander connected with the students and helped bring their vision to life. Together, they identified a location where the students' efforts could make a meaningful difference. Through a partnership with Episcopal Community Services (ECS), the Little Free Library found its new home at Harbison ECS Head Start in National City, located in ZIP code 91950, one of the book deserts the students had identified during their research.

Hand painted Little Library.

But this wasn't just any Little Free Library…

The students poured their creativity into the project, hand-painting the library with a playful Snoopy-inspired design that celebrates the joy of reading and imagination. Bright, welcoming, and full of personality, the library is sure to catch the eye of young readers and invite them to discover a new favorite book.

When installation day arrived, Words Alive Director of Learning & Engagement Melinda Casey, PMP, joined the students to bring their vision to life. She even brought along her trusted puppy companion, Lulu, who quickly became a favorite guest during the celebration. Together, students, parents, Melinda, and Lulu installed the Little Free Library and marked an exciting milestone for the community.

WA’s team member Melinda Casey with Lulu.

The students' generosity didn't stop there. They also created heartfelt Words of Inspiration cards filled with encouraging messages for young readers. Their notes celebrate reading, dreaming big, and believing in yourself, small messages with the power to make a big difference. The students also shared other handmade creations, many of which now brighten the Words Alive office and bring smiles to our team every day.

Words Alive recently had the privilege of spending time with these remarkable students and seeing firsthand the passion, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm behind their project. Their commitment reminds us that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. They saw a need, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work creating a solution.

We are incredibly grateful to the students of Design39Campus for their partnership, creativity, and generosity. Thanks to their efforts, more children and families in National City will have access to books, opportunities to read together, and a welcoming place to discover new stories.

At Words Alive, we believe books can open doors, spark imagination, and change lives. Thanks to these amazing young changemakers and a little help from Snoopy and Lulu, even more children will have the opportunity to experience that magic.

Meet Frida, Words Alive’s May Intern of the Month

by Haydee Yanez, Development Coordinator

Words Alive is excited to recognize Frida Salazar as our May Intern of the Month!

Frida is an 11th-grade student at High-Tech High, an innovative network of charter schools founded in 2000 by a coalition of San Diego civic leaders and educators. What began as a single public charter school serving approximately 450 students has grown into a network of 16 schools serving more than 6,000 students across four campuses. High-Tech High also includes a Teacher Credentialing Program and Graduate School of Education that supports educators locally and around the world.

Words Alive has proudly partnered with the High-Tech High community on projects such as the Adolescent Book Group and student-created exhibits like Covid Diaries. Through these collaborations, both organizations continue working toward a shared mission of inspiring literacy, creativity, and community connection.

Learn more about the Adolescent Book Group here!

Now, a few words from FRIDA:

How did you first join Words Alive?

“I officially joined Words Alive on May 4, but I first reached out in late April while looking for an internship for school. I wanted to find something that matched my interests, and since I’ve always loved reading, this felt like a really good fit. Someone recommended Words Alive to me because they knew I liked books, and honestly, just looking through the website made me think it seemed super interesting already.”

What kinds of projects have you worked on so far?

“So far, I’ve mostly been helping format classroom guide documents, which are basically step-by-step guides for people reading books with kids. I’ve also worked on smaller projects here and there, like adding watermarks to learning kits and helping when other interns come into the office. I still feel new, but I’m excited to keep doing more!”

Did you have a favorite book growing up?

La peor señora del mundo by Francisco Hinojosa

“One book that REALLY got me into reading was La peor señora del mundo. Something about the scratchy illustrations and the super exaggerated dialogue completely fascinated me as a kid — even if it was a little scary at the time. Every single time we went to the library

in Tijuana, I would ask to read that exact book again. Sometimes I’d pick out another one too, but that was always my main goal.

I think that book also started my love for darker and more unusual stories. I kept reading books with that kind of vibe until around middle school, when I got more into artsy literature. One of my favorite memories is my parents reading La peor señora del mundo out loud and making the main character sound WAY scarier than she was.”

What are you currently reading?

“Right now, I’m on-and-off reading Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. It’s super interesting because it talks about punk culture in the ’60s and ’70s entirely through interviews with musicians and artists. Some of the people mentioned are famous, and some completely caught me off guard — like Andy Warhol showing up way more than I expected.

I’d recommend it if you’re interested in music history or punk culture, but fair warning: it has a lot of colorful language and some intense stories. Honestly, I usually say my favorite book is whatever book I’m currently reading, so I’m always looking for something new and weird to pick up next.”

What do you enjoy outside of Words Alive?

“Outside of Words Alive, I like photography, drawing digitally for fun, and writing little stories for myself whenever I’m bored and can’t find anything else to do.”

Meet Julie

by Oli Loeffler, Development Coordinator

Words Alive recently welcomed Julie Ramos Oser (she/her) as a Program Coordinator supporting our Read Aloud and Adolescent Book Group programs across San Diego.

Julie grew up in Chula Vista, California, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside. After graduation, she returned home to San Diego with a clear goal: to make a positive difference in her community. Over the past three years, she has worked in youth-centered nonprofit spaces, including the San Diego Youth Symphony and the Fleet Science Center, where she cultivated a deep commitment to uplifting young people through meaningful, engaging experiences.

Julie is passionate about creating environments that center belonging, play, learning, and connection. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, making art, spending time in nature, and diving into her curiosity about evolutionary biology.

Now, a few words from Julie:

What excites you about working with Words Alive?

What first drew me to Words Alive was the mission. I’m obsessed with books and reading has brought so much comfort, connection, and perspective into my life. I’ve always felt that my calling and purpose in life is to better the lives of young people, so combining that passion with literacy felt like a natural fit.

After being here for a few months, I’m continually inspired by the deep care that the Words Alive community brings to our work. It’s undeniable how much intention and heart our staff and volunteers put into creating programming that is joyful, empowering, and personal for young readers. Being part of that energy is incredibly motivating, and it gives me a lot of hope.

What surprised you about Words Alive?

Our organizational model has definitely been the biggest surprise to me. So much of what we do is powered by volunteers and community members, which is both rare and refreshing to see! As a community organizer, I’m inspired by the way volunteers, partners, teachers, youth, and families all come together to move this literacy movement forward.

There is something powerful about work being guided by the very people it serves. I feel grateful that I get to support this network of passionate community members by providing the resources, structure, and connection they need to create real change.

What do you like most about being a Program Coordinator?

Outside of being around volunteers, young readers, and the community, I’ve become obsessed with operations. I love the strategic, and sacred, process of transforming conceptual ideas and the moving pieces of our program into something physical that goes out into the hands of young readers, which is where our work with groups at weekly Where the Wild Books Are gatherings or our partnership days with organizations like iJuntos comes in. Seeing books and learning materials come together through teamwork, laughter, and music creates a spiritual feeling, combined with a tsunami of productivity that’s hard to capture in words! It’s incredibly fulfilling to carry that process from start to finish.

What books do you recommend?

The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

That’s a tough question, but I would have to say The Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. Jemisin is an extraordinary storyteller. Her writing is imaginative and layered, with complex characters, rich world-building, and exhilaratingly unexpected twists. The series thoughtfully weaves in themes of systemic racism, environmental responsibility, and queer relationships in ways that are both powerful and deeply moving. It represents exactly what I love about speculative fiction.

Meet Lilliana and Diana, Words Alive’s March Volunteer(s) of the Month!

by Oli Loeffler, Development Coordinator

Words Alive is excited to recognize Lilliana Gutierrez and Diana Alvarez as our March Volunteers of the Month! Lilliana and Diana are Community Inclusion Professionals with The Arc of San Diego, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering people with disabilities to achieve their life goals. Through their work, they regularly bring their clients to our Where the Wild Books Are service events, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, teamwork, and community engagement.

Ready to check out our Where the Wild Books Are service events? New dates have just been posted. Check out our upcoming dates here!

Lilliana first discovered Words Alive through a coworker while searching for a volunteer site for her clients. “I came to look at it and figured [that] if they liked it, we would stay — and they did!” she shared. Diana had a similar introduction. “A former coworker volunteered here and told me about it. I thought it would be perfect for my group, and so far they love it.”

Since then, their groups have become a consistent and joyful presence at our volunteer events. Together, they’ve supported projects like building learning kits for young readers in our Family Literacy Program.

Lilliana and Diana at the Words Alive office.

For Lilliana, one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering is the teamwork. “I like it when we get to work as a team. We do a lot of teamwork here, and I love that.” Diana shared that some of her favorite moments come when she sees her clients step into their independence. “I like when my clients get in a rhythm and you can tell they’re excited that they’re doing it on their own.”

“We take our groups out into the community so they can learn social skills and work toward their goals,” Diana explained. “We’re there to support them, but they’re the ones doing it.” At Words Alive, that mission comes to life through shared space. “I like how open it is,” Lilliana said. “We can bring people along, meet other groups, and the clients get to socialize. I love that.” Diana also highlighted the welcoming environment. “The staff are very patient and always willing to help. If something is a little too difficult, they find another activity so the clients can still be successful. They’re happy working on the activities.”

When asked what they would say to someone considering volunteering with Words Alive, Diana didn’t hesitate: “It’s a great site. There’s something for everyone, and people really care.”

BOOK FAQ

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or one that had a big impact on you?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Lilliana shared that “In high school I read a couple books by Ellen Hopkin titled Crank and Glass. I loved the way [they were] written, it's more a poetic style. It’s a story about high schoolers dropping out [which] was interesting.”

Diana recalled reading Pride and Prejudice in a single day. “I loved it,” she said. She also shared her appreciation for Fried Green Tomatoes, adding that the book stands out even more than the film adaptation.

Do you have a special memory of reading with a caring adult?

For Lilliana, “Maybe around elementary school when we had those reading groups and a volunteer would come and we would read it together. It was just like you all do here, and they would give us books too!”

While Diana reflected on early school days like Lilliana, a different kind of moment stuck out to her, “I think it was more when my children would read to me when they liked a book and wanted to share it.”

What are you currently reading, or what would you recommend?

Lilliana is currently reading The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, while Diana shared that her reading list is always growing, “I read a lot on my Kindle, but I also have a stack of books at home my daughter wants me to read.”

Meet Connie, Words Alive's February Volunteer of the Month!

by Robyn Grand, Community Engagement Manager

Words Alive is thrilled to celebrate Connie M as our February Volunteer of the Month! Connie found her way to Words Alive after retiring from a 32-year career as a deputy public defender. Her friend invited her to attend one of Words Alive’s Where the Wild Books Are service events at our office in the East Village.

“Why don’t I just hitch a ride?” Connie thought, “I went with her and I just loved the whole idea, the people. It really touched my heart.”

Ready to check out our Where the Wild Books Are service events? New dates have just been posted. Check out our upcoming dates here!

In addition to attending Where the Wild Books Are, Connie has supported other special projects for the Family Literacy Program at Words Alive.

Family Literacy Program participants read Dragons Love Tacos together.

“I was at Where the Wild Books Are discovering all the fun books that never existed when I was a kid, I was floored at how thoughtful they were!” While at the event, Connie connected with Maria Mariscal, one of the Family Literacy Program Coordinators at Words Alive. “I speak Spanish as well, and I saw the books were in English and the resource packets were in Spanish. In my conversations with Maria, she asked if I would be interested in contacting families and I said I would love that! I got involved with calling families ahead of sessions and then I got involved in interviewing Spanish, Creole, and English-speaking families who completed the program. I just enjoyed that so much! It really hit home for me.”

“This program not only exposes the kids, but opens the parents’ eyes to other ways of reading. The creativeness. Just how excited the parents are! I can see that. I mean their worlds are opening when they see the teachers teach. The fact that they can appreciate that they didn’t know these books existed! I grew up in a very humble household, my parents had to learn English, so I could just relate to their excitement. What a book did, what a world it opens and how much they appreciate it and that for me was important because it brought it all back home to me how excited I would get and how my parents would get when books were donated.”

If you’re considering volunteering with Words Alive for the first time, Connie says you should, “Just jump in! You’ll be surprised at what’s out there, this resource for kids and families who really wouldn’t have this available to them do because of Words Alive. It’s magic!”

 Book FAQ

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or is there a book that has had a big impact on you?

The World Book Encyclopedia

“Growing up we really didn’t have money for books, but my father really appreciated books. He invested in The World Book Encyclopedia. To me, that was my first exposure to books. They were so beautiful with the cream colored leather, the gold inseams, I’ve never seen anything so elegant. We loved pulling them out and seeing the pictures.

Germinal by Émile Zola

Later my father would give us a quarter if we read a book. He found someone who gave us a set of Anne of Green Gables so that was the first series of things that I read for money, but I was so captivated by Anne and her adventures.

Now I’m a very eclectic reader. I love thrillers like le Carré. I just finished Germinal by Émile Zola.”

Do you have a special memory of reading with your children when they were young?

“We read to them always, since they were babies. To the Moon and Back by Sam McBratney and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. were their favorites. All of our books were on repeat, and we did a lot of invented stories. It was just part of our ritual to wind down. It was great, we have good memories.”

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

What are you currently reading, or do you have a favorite book to recommend to others?

“The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. It was so good!”

Meet Ivette

by Oli Loeffler, Development Coordinator

Words Alive recently welcomed Ivette Rubio (she/her/ella) as a part-time Program Coordinator.

Ivette Rubio grew up in Southern California where she studied Child Development at Whittier College. 

As a college student, she was involved in different efforts towards achieving educational equity: after school program tutor, classroom teacher assistant, community organizer and advocate, and a college mentorship program coordinator. After graduating, she moved to Boston to earn her M.A. in Elementary Education from Boston College through the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program. She had the joy of teaching math and science to curious middle school students for six years.

In 2020, she started her family and moved back to Southern California.  Ivette has worked locally and nationally for non-profits expanding STEAM access for youth and empowering parents by navigating the education system.  Ivette now resides in San Diego where she enjoys observing the animals at the zoo, taking dance classes, and trying new foods at local small businesses. 

Now a few words from Ivette:

What brought you to Words Alive?

I first learned about Words Alive when I worked at United Way of San Diego County and was intrigued by the caring team members providing free books to students.  In the fall of 2025, my schedule opened up and I jumped in as a volunteer.  I facilitated the fall Let’s Read Program with families in Spanish.  I enjoyed being a part of families’ journey in building a positive relationship with reading, so when the opportunity came to join the team, I applied.

What are you most excited about in this role?

I am excited to be a part of the Family Literacy Program team at Words Alive, now on the other side as a Program Coordinator.  There is such a dedicated team here of staff and volunteers all working collectively to put together and provide engaging literacy experiences for children and families.  I hope to bring my program management and classroom experience to support our organizational goals and mission. 

Why do you care about literacy?

Literacy is a social justice issue and learning through play is one of the most effective ways for kids to grow.  I am happy to be a part of the movement to address the literacy crisis, by getting more books in the hands of families and creating joyful reading experiences for families to enjoy together. 

What books do you recommend?

As a mom, my current recommendations are family-friendly.  I love Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman – a great children’s book about how we can take small steps now to make our communities a better place.  We have also been enjoying the InvestiGators graphic novel series by John Patrick Green, reading along as the main characters solve fun and silly mysteries! 

Meet Tom, Words Alive's January Volunteer of the Month!

Tom reads with a child while on a trip to Laos.

by Robyn Grand, Community Engagement Manager

Words Alive is thrilled to kick off our 2026 Volunteer of the Month series by recognizing Tom Carney as our January Volunteer of the Month! Tom joined Words Alive in early 2025 after intentionally searching for volunteer roles aligned with children’s literacy. Since coming to Words Alive, Tom has supported our Community Engagement Team to help connect community members to our programming, distributed books and literacy resources through our Words on Wheels team, and assembled Learning Kits at our Where the Wild Books Are service events to support the Family Literacy and Read Aloud programs. Tom says that Where the Wild Books Are “satisfies my detail-oriented qualities putting [Learning Kits] together with all the pieces of paper.” Most recently, Tom has jumped into the classroom as a Reading Role Model for the Read Aloud program.

“All the programs have their own merits.” Tom shared, “I just believe in the mission of the organization, so I’m trying to find whatever ways I can contribute, and you have a lot of different avenues for that.”

When asked about his proudest moment of volunteer service with Words Alive, Tom lit up talking about the students in his 3rd grade classroom.

“Reading in the classroom is my newest role in the past couple months. It’s been really enjoyable. I’m sure I’m not going to reach every third grader who’s there because they aren’t all listening closely, but I can tell which ones are and I can tell from the interactions that I’m going to reach them and I feel really good about that.”

“I come into the class during their lunch so they’re all outside having a little playtime. They come into the classroom and I’m sitting there getting ready to read when they come in. I love when a kid comes in with a gasp of excitement that I’m here and they didn’t remember I was coming.”

Pele by Sanchez Veara Isabe was the Read Aloud Program’s Winter Giveaway title in December 2025.

Tom’s favorite memories in the classroom are when he sparks curiosity in a young mind. “I really love it when a kid asks a question like,’“well how can I learn more about the subject of this book?’ For Pele by Sanchez Vegara Isabe, the winter Read Aloud Giveaway title, a bunch of kids asked questions like ‘Oh, well is he married? Is he still alive? Does he have children?’

There were a number of questions I didn’t know the answers to, so I said ‘Oh, well we’ll have to do a little research about this afterwards.’ And this little girl responded, ‘Well, how do we do it? How do we go about doing the research? How do I learn more about Pele?’”

For Tom, everything is about supporting his community. “Words Alive comes up because people know I’m retired and ask me what I’m doing with my time. Most people respond very positively and are interested in learning more about the organization and getting involved themselves.”

This year, Tom has stepped up to support the 2025-26 Champions for Youth campaign by hosting a peer-to-peer fundraising page on Words Alive’s behalf. We are in the final days of this year’s campaign, and all donations of $10 or more are eligible to receive bonus funds at the end of the campaign. Want to help Tom hit his fundraising goals? Support his page here!

When asked if he had any advice for folks considering becoming a Champion for Youth or supporting this year’s campaign, Tom shared “Go for it! Get out of your comfort zone and give it a try. People have all sorts of different networks that not everyone can connect with. I’m glad I participated and I would encourage others to do it, especially if they believe strongly in the mission.”

Book Q&A

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or is there a book that has had a big impact on you?

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

I wasn’t a big reader as a kid. My family was not very well educated. My mother didn’t finish high school, and I think my father did, but they didn’t go to college. They weren’t big readers, so I didn’t read a lot as a kid. It came to me later in life and frankly struggled with reading even through high school, but I had some teachers who pushed me. They saw my ability and pushed me.

When asked if he remembered the first book that really captured his imagination, Tom immediately and enthusiastically responded: “Oh yeah, I mean totally, it was a big one. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo once I got into that and the themes of mercy and forgiveness and Valjean’s harsh following of the rules to catch these criminals stealing bread because they were hungry… I haven’t read it in a long time, but I’ll have to get back to it someday.”

What are you currently reading, or do you have a favorite book to recommend to others?

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

I usually read a print book and an audio book at the same time. I just finished Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green and it’s both very disheartening and hopeful at the same time. Disheartening because still over a million people die a year from tuberculosis around the world and it is an entirely curable disease. We have the medicine but we don’t have the societal decision making to allocate the resources where they’re needed. It’s sad on one hand, but that can be changed, so it’s hopeful.

For the print book, I just picked up A Short History of Everything by Bill Bryson. One of the good things about retirement, I have so much time to read now. It’s great!  

Meet Thionta, Words Alive's December Volunteer of the Month!

Thionta prepares to read to his Read Aloud class.

by Robyn Grand, Community Engagement Manager

This month, Words Alive is thrilled to celebrate Thionta Buckner as our December Volunteer of the Month. Thionta joined Words Alive after being invited to participate by his partner, a volunteer with the Family Literacy Program. He had been looking for a way to get involved with giving back to his community through working with children around literacy.

Thointa’s first introduction to volunteerism was through his service in the Navy. He got to experience different organizations through single days of service supporting food and resource distribution, clean-up projects, and more. The experience that stuck with him the most was the opportunity he got to read aloud to a class of elementary children.

“I only got to do it once but after doing it that one time I always wanted to do it again, but I didn’t know how.”

Finding Words Alive was Thionta’s chance to get back into the classroom.  

During his time at Words Alive, Thionta has supported our Where the Wild Books Are service events, distributed new books and resources to families across our community through the Words on Wheels team, and currently serves as a Reading Role Model in the Read Aloud Program.

Thionta loves getting to see the children’s reaction to the stories he reads in real time: “answering questions they may have and helping them learn new words they may not have known before and how they can use them out in the world. Just the appreciation they have for someone coming to read to them. They’re always excited when you get there, they’re always so precious. On the way out the door they want to give hugs and high fives and tell me about their lives.”

When asked about a particular memory of his service that stood out to him, Thionta shared about one day he got to class a little early: “The UTK class was in the middle of doing a calming exercise with music and scarves. One of the little kids brought over a scarf for me to join in and it was a lot of fun!”

Are you thinking about volunteering with Words Alive in 2026? Thionta has a message for you: Just do it!

“If you’re considering it or have a joy for reading and want to share with others, do it! It’s rewarding. You will have an impact on these young minds and hopefully be instilling something in the next generation that they will continue to pass on.”

Book Q&A

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or is there a book that has had a big impact on you?

I didn’t have a favorite book, but a book that does come up for me is Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters [by John Steptoe]. It’s a fantasy book set in western Africa and came out in the late 80s. The author also illustrated the book and I think that’s what made it stand out so much. I was enamored with the illustrations. It’s supposed to be a twist on Cinderlla.”

Do you have a special memory of reading with a caring adult from when you were a child?

Not really, but I remember in kindergarten or first grade doing phonics with a…I don’t know who she was. Me and a few other kids would go to the back table with her and we would be sounding out words and reading a book that we weren’t reading in class. I don’t know what that was all about, but I remember getting excited to go read this book with her and the other kids. We would take turns reading the pages and she would help us sound the words out.

What are you currently reading, or do you have a favorite book to recommend to others?

I am currently reading Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler.

Meet Gabrielle, Words Alive's November Volunteer of the Month!

by Robyn Grand, Community Engagement Manager

It’s November, and that means it’s time to celebrate another Volunteer of the Month at Words Alive. This month, we’re thrilled to recognize Gabrielle Heide for her service to the organization!

Gabrielle (right) with her husband, Steve (left).

Gabrielle first joined Words Alive three years ago after relocating to San Diego with her husband, Steve. She was looking for a way to get to know and support her new community through volunteering, while also creating a new routine for herself. Gabrielle discovered our Where the Wild Books Are service events through HandsOn San Diego and invited her husband, Steve, to join her for a project at our office in downtown San Diego.

As a retired art teacher, supporting projects to help prepare and assemble Learning Kits for our Family Literacy, Read Aloud, and Adolescent Book Group programs really struck a chord with Gabrielle. At Words Alive, our Learning Kits come complete with a brand-new copy of the book title being used in the program, resource guides for caregivers, and a hands-on craft activity that supports play-based learning. Gabrielle loves the different types of art projects and activities that are included in the Learning Kits and giving families an opportunity to create fun memories together around reading.

One aspect of Words Alive’s programming that Gabrielle really appreciates is that all the supplies families need to participate in the tie-in craft activities comes included with each Learning Kit.

“I know from my own background that not everyone has support in learning and doing educational things, or has extra supplies to participate in extracurricular activities. I came from a poor family and hardship and trauma and all those kinds of things, but through it all I was taught to value education. The one thing my mom always said was, “get your education, because once you have it, they can never take it away.”

Gabrielle (right) shares literacy resources with the community at the first annual KPBS Book Festival.

“I’m really proud of what we do at Words Alive” Gabrielle shared, “so when people say ‘Hey, what are you doing? What have you got going on this week?’ I jump right in and tell them about the work Steve and I do for the organization. I share information about where we are at, as a country, with literacy and try to plant a seed in people. With a lot of things, people just aren’t aware… even if you hit them over the head with it. It can take time to sink in.”

While Gabrielle is a regular at Where the Wild Books Are, she’s gearing up for a new project with Words Alive — supporting the 2025-2026 Champions for Youth campaign! Champions for Youth is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign where Words Alive is one of four local nonprofit organizations that have been selected by the Century Club of San Diego and Farmers Insurance to receive funding and outreach support. This fundraising campaign gives donors the chance to help Words Alive earn funds from the Farmers Cares Bonus Pool and continues to be the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“For me, being a Champion means helping and making something better than it was before. It’s about being kind and realizing where people are. I like being a Champion because I like to help in little ways. That’s one of the things that hooked me about Words Alive. I was new to San Diego, I was newly retired, and I felt lost. I went to a Where the Wild Books Are and the staff talked about moving the needle on literacy.”

The rest, as they say, was history. Gabrielle found a home where she felt like she could make a difference. Being a Champion for Youth just gives her the opportunity to share her love of Words Alive with more folks while she’s walking her dog around the neighborhood.

When asked if there was a moment from previous Champions for Youth campaigns that stood out to her, Gabrielle shared a story about receiving a donation from someone she didn’t think had been listening to her appeal.

“I had just mentioned it in passing not thinking that it would go anywhere, and I didn’t think that it resonated with her, but it did! I actually saw her last week and she came to me and said, “Hey, when does the fundraiser begin? You’re participating again right?” and I immediately said, “Yes, yes we are!”  

If you’re considering becoming a Champion for Youth, Gabrielle has a message for you: “The Words Alive staff makes it really easy to participate. It’s easy and it’s not like you’re saying, ‘Hey, I need that $20 back that I lent you for those burritos.’ It’s not an awkward conversation, it’s an invitation to help make something better together. People are always looking for ways to give back, they just aren’t always sure how.”

BOOK Q&A

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or is there a book that has had a big impact on you?

My favorite book of all time was as a child, a giant Leonardo da Vinci book that was all pictures of his designs and inventions. It was big, glossy, beautiful. I of course had Dr. Suess, but it was Leonardo da Vinci that I hung out with.

Do you have a special memory of reading with a caring adult from when you were a child?

When I was little there was so much chaos in my house, and I was the youngest. I remember my mom telling people to help me with this and that, but people were always running in different directions. I don’t have memories of people sitting down to read with me, but my mom was a librarian and there were always books around so I had lots of access.

What are you currently reading, or do you have a favorite book to recommend to others?

I have a whole closet full of children’s books because I love the illustrations. I love the Fan Brothers and Oliver Jeffers. I have so many children’s books — I’ve already read three today to my granddaughter! When I have a chance to read something else it’s usually like a Brene Brown or Augusten Bouroughs.