South Sound Reading Foundation

Community engagement and outreach form the backbone of my professional experience. After interning with the South Sound Reading Foundation (SSRF) the summer before completing my undergraduate degree at Western Washington University, I was fortunate to return as a Book Program Coordinator. In this role, I regularly communicated with local schools, other nonprofit organizations, and community partners to expand our free book programming and strengthen community relationships. Attending outreach events, connecting with children and families, coordinating volunteers, and helping organize programs became central to my day-to-day work.

My two years at SSRF strengthened my communication and organizational skills while teaching me how to adapt to the needs of diverse communities. I developed experience in volunteer management, public engagement, and collaborative problem-solving, often balancing multiple projects and priorities at once. Most importantly, the role reinforced the value of relationship-building and community-centered work, showing me how meaningful partnerships and effective communication can create lasting impact in a community I’m a part of.