My Giving Story: Darin Iraj
My Giving Story is about the amazing team I get to volunteer with at the Leaders Readers Network. Each educator and student who is a part of our network inspires me everyday to keep working to try and close the literacy gap. From a young age, I realized the importance of education and reading. I was able to go from being a student who frequently fooled around and constantly got in trouble to one who really enjoyed school and learning. This has inspired me to spark this change in the lives of many young learners.
My Giving Story starts at one of the first series of events I hosted with the Leaders Readers Network. This was a book collection event at my local high school, then a book signing event at my local library, and then finally a book fair share in a local school. I was able to see my impact firsthand by giving out the books at the book share and see how enthusiastic and excited the students were when they saw all the books and choices they had. I am a firm believer that students do better when they are able to study a subject they like or read a book that aligns with their interests, so I spent as much time as possible working with each student. I remember some of the team leaving for a little bit to go to another book share and Chris asked me to lead while he was gone. I remember there being around 10 more volunteers and numerous other individuals that I had to coordinate with which made me very nervous. This was one of the first times where I realized I had the ability to lead a group in making change. After that, I gained more confidence and realized that I was capable of leading events which made me very excited to continue my impact. I began to plan more events in my community and was able to push myself outside of my comfort zone to call local community members and businesses for support.
My Giving Story moves onto uniting my local community together to help neighboring schools and bring awareness to the high levels of inequities so close to home. Working with my community to collect over 50 boxes of books to date, hosting 3 book signing events, and 2 book fair-shares to impact students in Westchester and New York City. I have created amazing connections with the students we worked with and enjoy nothing more than getting to see the smiles on the kids and hear the stories that come from doing this important work
My Giving Story extends from local impact to global impact. I was able to travel twice to Dominica to work in the local communities and schools. I have traveled to Dominica twice in the last three years. My first trip to Dominica was right after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. While working in the local communities and schools, I quickly formed bonds with many students and community members. It was an amazing experience. During this trip, we hosted many events. My favorite event was the back to school event where we impacted over 300 students handing out backpacks, school supplies, and medical supplies. I met so many young children who were beyond excited to meet us and were very thankful that we were helping their schools. After this, we had a local leadership panel with local leaders and it was amazing to see a group of young leaders come together and discuss their experiences. I feel that there is a very unique bond among all the LRN volunteers and Dominica community members. I am excited for when we are able to return. While I have not been able to return to Dominica since Covid-19, I impatiently wait to return and continue working in the local community and inspiring ambassadors there.
My Giving Story has now moved to me tutoring students of essential health care workers during the peak of Covid-19, and now local students in my collegetown (Middletown, CT). It is indisputable that this pandemic has perpetuated the pre existing inequalities within education and learning and this has inspired me to seek further change within the educational system. As a project for one of my courses in college, I have developed a proposal to equalize the school funding New York City public schools receive from the local level, modeling Vermont’s Act 60. I hope to move onto law school and study educational policy further to continue to advocate for the many unheard voices.
My Giving Story is getting to help our network of students plan their events and watch as they unite their communities to make a change and impact the lives of students at underfunded schools. I learn so much from the work we do everyday, and I can’t wait to see what we continue to accomplish with your support. Thank you for being a part of My Giving Story. With support from generous donors and volunteers, we are changing lives.
Want to join the Leaders Readers Network this Giving Tuesday to help ensure children have access to high quality and relevant brand new books? Click here to learn more or Donate Today to sponsor a classroom. Your support will reach the most vulnerable students and unlock a lifelong love for learning, reading and creativity.
