Volunteer Gary Juarez (center) celebrating Tandem’s First Birthday on Sept. 15, 2016.

You never know when doing a simple act will have such an immense impact on one’s life.  I first volunteered for Tandem back in January 2015. We created StoryBlocks during a company-sponsored volunteer workshop. It was a fun experience to have with my coworkers, and we enjoyed learning and getting to know each other while creating these blocks that help kids tell a good story with their family.  After a few great conversations with some of the Tandem team members, I made the decision to volunteer weekly. The organization’s philosophy to bridge the opportunity reading and learning gap for children in the Bay Area inspired me to come into the office every week. …And you can say the rest was history!

Gary assembling boxes for StoryCycles materials during Book Sort 2015.

The more I volunteered, the more I learned about the details of the organization’s programs and its goals. While learning about its mission, I reflected on my own personal journey. I had many people – especially my parents, Aura Lila, Carlos, and Jered – throughout my life helped me along the way so I could become more a successful person. More importantly, they help me gain the self-confidence I needed to go into the world and truly express myself. And every step of the way, reading was an integral part of my getting to the next step on the journey. If I can give back to any child the opportunity to overcome the achievement gap as my family did for me, I am more than willing to do it. I will always remember the moment at the Tandem Launch party last August when Tandem Literacy Champion Rosy Muñoz said, “Reading allows a person to travel the world for free.”  As I volunteer today, that statement still rings true.

Gary, pictured with friends, at Tandem’s Launch Party in August 2015.

Tandem’s programs are being run by some of the most incredible leaders in the community. Tandem’s Community Literacy Specialists inspire kids, educators and families to spark the joy of books and learning by reading together every day. They tirelessly and diligently work to find the books and resources families and educators need and provide it all with passion and a smile. But, they may not always see the results of their work. Often, we are not there for some of those most powerful, transformative moments that shape a child’s future success. But a thank you note from a parent or a wide smile from a child during a Tandem Read Aloud in a classroom is more than enough to drive program staff here. I consider it truly a success when a child screams out “One more story!” at the end of a Read Aloud.

I came to Tandem because they support an incredible cause. Tandem partners with as many people and community organizations as possible to make sure that we can give any child in the Bay Area the opportunity to dream and succeed – to let his or her imagination run free through the pages of a book. And maybe, that imagination inspires each child to become anything they wish to be. I stay with  Tandem because I have the privilege and honor to work with passionate community leaders that inspire positive change in our neighborhoods. Every action has a ripple effect, and we hope that as a community we can bring our children up to every possible potential.  This is why I volunteer with Tandem.

Gary, pictured left, with his co-workers at his first volunteer experience with Tandem.