It is very important to me to dedicate as much time as I can to the issues that matter most to me and to the children and youth in my community. Over the past 24 years, I have volunteered with a huge variety of organizations and created wonderful memories of the groups and young people I have worked with.

My recent community service includes the following:

• Webmaster, the Friends of the Rochambeau Library, Providence, RI (2007-2009)
• Student and alumni mentor, The Met High Schools, Providence, RI (ongoing)
• Speech and Interview Judge, Rhode Island Academic Decathlon (ongoing)
• Prospective student interviewer, Brown Alumni Schools Committees (BASC) (ongoing)
• Board member, Young Voices, Providence, RI (2008-2009)
• Mentor, Urban Collaborative Acclerated Middle School, Providence, RI (2008-2009)
  

One of my most fulfilling volunteer efforts was something I started a few years ago at The Met High Schools in Providence. Each month, I was given a small amount of money from one of the schools which I used to forage through thrift stores and used booksales for great books I believed the students will like. Then, once a month, I went to the school in the morning during their community meeting (known as the "Pick Me Up"). I talked a bit about each book and then distributed them throughout the room as students yelled out which books they are most interested in. It was always fun and inspiring to see teenagers so excited about reading and I loved being known as "The Book Lady."

My past volunteer experiences have included:

• Mentoring a young woman participating in the first year of Year Up Providence
• Serving for three years as a board member for the Friends of the Rochambeau Library
• Hosting Halloween parties for young residents of homeless shelters
• Serving as a Big Sister for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization
• Serving as the Secretary of the Boston University Community Service Center
• Tutoring for the GED at the Providence Urban League
• Facilitating a teen group and helping them to lobby for the creation of a teen center in their community
• Helping to develop and seek funding for an afterschool program in a Section 8 housing development
• Telling Russian folktales to children at the local library
• Performing my poetry for the Rhode Island Theatre Ensemble's Rite of Spring performances
• Participating in Martin Luther King, Jr. Days of Service

I would like to share some of my favorite photos from my experiences as a mentor. These young women and men have brought so much to my life that I want to take this opportunity to thank them.

Click on any photo to see a larger image.