MICHELLE

As a student from a Spanish-speaking background, I was excited to partner with an organization that intentionally tailors its efforts to the communities it serves. At Raising a Reader MA, I was able to deepen my passion for storytelling and bilingualism by engaging with the families across the state and collecting stories that showcase the true value of the organization’s work. One of my favorite projects involved conducting interviews with caregivers in Portuguese and Spanish to highlight the impact of RAR-MA’s programming as part of its 20th anniversary campaign. 

Throughout this experience, I was guided by supervisors who are not only passionate about RAR-MA’s mission but also deeply committed to supporting interns with the tools and mentorship needed to grow. I am beyond grateful to the team for creating a space where we could develop as professionals while gaining insight into the logistics and impact of nonprofit work.

Above all, I thank the team for the work that they do for families. Witnessing firsthand how RAR-MA transforms family dynamics at home and school- and supports individuals who are navigating English as a second language- makes me proud to contribute to such meaningful work. As I continue to explore interests in the education field, this experience has helped me expand my perspective on how literacy work intersects with community engagement and long-term, measurable impact. Overall, displaying how leaning into the stories reminds us of the significance this work has on the lives of its constituents.

CARLY

This summer, I was very fortunate to be an intern at Raising a Reader MA! I learned many skills working in the Development and Communications department, but the most meaningful thing I learned was the impact that reading has on children, families, and communities. While working on marketing projects and researching for funding applications, I developed a deeper understanding of the barriers that many children and families face regarding literacy and how RAR-MA’s programs can transform children’s life trajectories beyond just success in school. From my first day in the office, it was clear how passionate every member of the RAR-MA team is about this cause and I enjoyed working with and learning from everyone. This internship has motivated me to pursue a career in reading education and continue to tackle the obstacles that create cycles of poor literacy in many communities.

From RAR-MA, I have realized that for education to be successful, it can not just involve the child and instead must include the whole family. This is definitely something that I will prioritize with my future students and their caregivers to ensure that every child is able to thrive as a reader. Some of the most impactful stories I heard this summer from parents and teachers are about young children finding a book that they truly connect with and love for the first time. It is clear that these connections are so important not only for children’s future academic development, but also for their social and emotional development. I look back on my own experience learning to read and finding books I loved so fondly, and that has inspired me to help future children discover the magic of books and the lifetime of opportunities that they bring as well. I am so grateful to my summer at RAR-MA and to have been an addition to this great organization!