Francisco Delgadillo is our April Volunteer of the Month!

Drumrolls please! Our April Volunteer of the Month is… Francisco Delgadillo! Francisco joined us as a volunteer this school year, and has been an incredibly consistent support in our Buena Vista Horace Mann middle school programs lately. He’s even managed to draw out some shy middle schoolers out of their shell, which is no easy feat! When we contacted him about his nomination, Francisco responded by saying, “My hats off to you all for the work you do and enable others to do.” Well, our hats are off to you, Francisco! Take a look at Francisco’s interview below to learn more about his interests and experiences as a volunteer.

Francisco Delgadillo is our April Volunteer of the Month!

What is one of your favorite moments (memories, experiences or anecdotes!) from volunteering with 826 Valencia?

When a rather shy student in Ashley’s and Ms. Martin’s 7th Grade English Language Arts class at BVHM felt encouraged and comfortable during our tutoring session to do a long reading with a group of students that were more engaged and advanced in their assignments—that was a powerful breakthrough for him.

 

What led you to become part of our volunteer community?

The convergence of a few things: 826 Valencia’s reputation of providing great support to underserviced students and my interest in encouraging young talent as I switched to creative writing from a career in design and branding for high tech.

 

Given a choice of the three, which would you choose: pirates, pufferfish, or woodland creatures? Why? 

Woodland creatures because they epitomize friendship amongst different kinds of animals regardless of what they look like or where they come from—all living in harmony with nature. At a time of great social tensions and environmental stresses, a woodland would be a nice place to be.

 

What would we find you doing when not you’re not volunteering at 826?

Riding my bike through Golden Gate Park all the way to Ocean Beach. Also reading and writing as I’m getting ready to go to graduate school for an MFA in creative writing.

 

What is a piece of advice you would give a new 826 volunteer?

Allow yourself to be silly with your students if the circumstances require it. In my experience, they will respond more favorably than if you’re too formal or resort to an authoritarian voice. Most of all, be genuine. Students can smell “fake” even through Zoom!

 

Thank you, Francisco for your warmth, energy, and commitment to our programs, we couldn’t do it without you! Read more about our previous Volunteers of the Month here.