Fists clenched, I pounded and cried on the supermarket floor for another bag of chips. Again.
Unfortunately for my parents, I spent much of toddlerhood like this. The only antidote? Books. With books-in-hand, I was engaged in worlds where prison escapes were run-of-the-mill and saving the world from fairies was business as usual. Growing older, I shifted from the imaginative worlds of The Land of Stories to those that dealt with heavier topics, like To Kill A Mockingbird. As I read, my perspective opened up to the problems of society, like racism or poverty, told through an emotional-powered narrative. I had always known the injustices of the world, but it was hard for me to fully grasp its magnitude and weight. However, seeing these real issues depicted through a personal narrative made them feel tangible and real — and amplified my desire to help out. Reading furthered my passion for community service, showing me the bigger picture of my impact.
Combining these two passions, last semester, I started a club called Read to Respond. Every month, we discuss a piece of literature and analyze its core messages—then use those themes to guide us towards volunteer ideas. I still remember the first piece we’ve discussed — Those Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin. It was a heartbreaking story about a starving child, who was kept in misery for the supposed benefit of the rest of the town. In the small, yet lively, discussion, we explored the unnecessary suffering others experienced, especially hunger—and decided to volunteer with Mary’s Kitchen, a food pantry that supported the needy. Throughout meetings, I had built up a strong community, but noticed it was limited to a couple of people. When people were sick or absent, the room would be empty — and I realized I needed to grow the club, not only for long-term sustainment but to spread our mission.
I began finding opportunities — partnering with student council, getting featured on my school’s social media page, and cross-collaborating with other clubs — to show others the power of literature through action. Steadily, people came and rooms that were once empty were filled! Through the months, as we partnered with more organizations such as the LA County Arboretum, Pathways of Hope, and Color A Smile in volunteering events, I saw these members return each time, excited to discuss the next piece and even bringing along friends. I was excited by how far the club had grown, but more importantly, touched to witness the change within our members from passive readers into active agents of change. Not only were people taking ideas into impact, but by reading before volunteering, they approached the service with a new-found meaning and appreciation—understanding the greater purpose behind it. Seeing them recognize the change they were making through the emotional element of literature — just like I had experienced — has been the most rewarding.
Moving forward, I hope to continue changing people’s attitudes towards volunteer — renewing their mindset towards service. I’m excited to see what the future holds, as we reach deeper into our community and expand our mission to literary non-profits, local libraries, and bookstores! Most of all, I’m so grateful to do what I love, especially through a supportive club, and change our community together — one page at a time.
