americorps

Shanai

 

Bio:

From: Texas
Graduated from: University of Arizona, ‘09
Degree: BA in English Literature

Shanai graduated from the U of A in 2009 after attending 3 schools and changing her major 5 times in 4 years. Not sure if she wanted to stay in Tucson or move to Phoenix, she applied to 10 AmeriCorps programs; 5 in each city. Of all of the positions, Communities In Schools of Greater Phoenix felt like the best fit. She packed up her belongings and moved a little further down the I-10. In her spare time, Shanai enjoys reading (mainly fiction), writing, music, being outdoors and spending time with her loved ones and golden retriever.

Service

Shanai is a Community Resource Coordinator (CRC) at Sunnyslope School. Sunnyslope is a K-8 school in the Washington Elementary School District. She shares an office with the nurse, and therefore keeps a never-ending supply of hand sanitizer at her desk. She considers herself lucky to have not caught head lice yet. Some of the projects she is currently working on include bringing in a volunteer to read to a kindergarten and 1st grade class each Monday, monthly parent meetings, a bimonthly self-esteem and body image class for 4th grade girls, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and is helping to plan a health and resource fair in conjunction with the Sunnyslope Community Center, among other projects.

Impact Story

I decided to assist the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by running the Pennies for Patients fundraiser at Sunnyslope School. The Sunnyslope community is not a wealthy area, and the students had already participated in three other fund raisers within the past two months. My expectations for this fundraiser were minimal; send home collection boxes, have the students return them in a week, and submit whatever small amount was raised to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Friday. Was I wrong. By the next day, my office was piling up with collection boxes that were stuffed to the brim with change and even dollar bills. Many children needed new boxes on a daily basis. By the end of the week we raised a total of $1,228.65, and money continues to come in. I was overwhelmed with pride that these children stepped up and donated to a cause that aims to make the lives of those suffering with cancer just a little bit brighter, one penny at a time.