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Summer 2024
GGAB and the Power of Community Connections for Literacy
Marisol Vela
UNM Reading Tutor
Environmental Science Major
My experience volunteering alongside the GGAB organization has been one that has a significant impact on the world of literacy for underprivileged children within New Mexico’s community. Taking the time to create meaningful connections with important members of the community has had a tremendous impact on the way students engage with learning how to read, and growing their curiosity and passion for learning.
All this has been illustrated through my time volunteering alongside GGAB, most recently, at this year’s event put on by the Albuquerque Police Department. During my time at the event, a plethora of valuable community members were present to learn more about what different organizations do for our state. With a variety of booths set up, there was plenty of information to learn regarding protecting New Mexican citizens all around the state. In addition to this, Dunkin Donuts gave out drinks, coffee, and donuts at no cost to those who attended. Similarly, car wheel locks were provided for free, representing just another way that these organizations keep our communities safe.
As the event continued, the GGAB team and I continued to create connections, spreading the message of what our non-profit stands for; promoting literacy for all. We showed many community members examples of books that have been shared with students during Read-A-Thons throughout a variety of community centers. Additionally, we were able to give out several of these books to valuable community members in order to pass along to their children, grandchildren, or any students that they knew. Giving away these books and our GGAB hot-air balloon pins gave us the opportunity to go in depth about what our goals are for educating New Mexico’s children in the field of literacy and the actions we have taken already towards these goals.
Overall, volunteering at this event was a great opportunity to bring GGAB to the spotlight, as we shared our values and goals with the communities, offering ways in which they can support us, and follow us on social media in order to have a greater positive impact on the community.
United, we can bridge the divide in book access.
Your investment directly supports our mission to provide quality books to children who need them the most and empower children with the tools for success.
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