53.7 F
San Diego
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
-Advertisement-

Nonprofit Profile – Words Alive



ORGANIZATION


Name:

Jennifer Williamson


Title:

Executive director


Organization:

Words Alive


Mission of organization:

Words Alive inspires a commitment to reading and develops shared reading experiences for children, youths and adults.


Telephone:

858-274-9673.


Web site:

wordsalive.org.


Founded:

1999.


Milestone:

We are celebrating 10 years of serving the San Diego community this year.


Annual income:

$330,000.


Expense allocation:

Eighty-six percent of all funds raised go in direct support of our programs.


Corporate support:

Varies.


Corporate supporters:

Our corporate supporters include Busch Entertainment and San Diego-based Geppetto’s.


Board chairwoman:

Marjorie Blitz, M.S.


Board members:

13.


Employees:

Four.


Volunteers:

125-plus.


Events:

The Words Alive Annual Authors’ Luncheon scheduled for Oct. 20 at the La Jolla Hyatt at Aventine. If you like authors Christopher Bojalian and Kylie Jones, don’t miss it!


Wish list:

New and gently used books, particularly for ages up to 6, office supplies, contacts for our database, an endowment, creative social enterprise ideas with low implementation costs.


OFFICE ISSUES


Recent challenge:

The Words Alive Westreich Scholarship program is now in its second year and we were tasked with choosing six scholarship recipients from a pool of 15 applicants. Unlike more traditional scholarships programs, we fund expenses beyond books and tuition including food, bus passes and child care. Each person applying had such a unique story and needs that choosing just six was incredibly difficult. We hope to grow the fund in the years to come so that we can increase the number of scholarships and provide greater numbers of disadvantaged teens with the opportunity to pursue higher education at the college or vocational level.


Measures of success:

There are many measures of success at Words Alive. One measure is the enthusiastic greeting our volunteers receive each time they show up to read to the preschoolers at our six Early Literacy Intervention program sites. Another is hearing teens participating in our Adolescent Book Group program say that because of their involvement with the program it is the first time they have ever read a book for pleasure cover to cover and that they are going to read more and more regularly.


Smartest move:

We’ve operated in a fiscally responsible manner during the past 10 years. It’s paying off now.


Missed opportunity:

None yet! We are careful to vet every opportunity that comes our way to make sure it’s a good fit with our mission and current organizational capacity.


Misconception:

Words Alive does not teach people how to read. Our innovative programs were created to help children, teens and adults in our community discover the joy of reading and how books can add meaning to their lives.


PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS


Personal path to nonprofit work:

I was a public relations professional for six years, which gave me a great skill set for nonprofit work, but wasn’t something I could envision myself doing my entire life. I ended up leaving the private sector in 2001 and landed a part-time position at a Linda Vista nonprofit. I left in fall 2003 to take a full-time position at another nonprofit and was subsequently promoted to executive director in fall 2004. I joined Words Alive in May 2008.


Toughest aspect:

We know we need to grow to meet the burgeoning need in our community for our programs. We are approached on a regular basis by schools and other community organizations who wish to partner with us. The toughest part of my job right now is seeing the need but not being able to meet it yet.


Most surprising aspect:

The most surprising aspect of working in the nonprofit sector? Not missing the corner office, perks and bigger paycheck that came with working in public relations.


Biggest pain:

The recession is a big pain, but has motivated us to work even harder and do what we do even better.


Greatest pleasure:

At the top of the list is being able to work at an organization whose mission I am deeply passionate about and with which I have a personal connection. I also really enjoy working as part of a team and seeing our collective efforts build an exceptional organization. Finally, opening an envelope and seeing a check made out to Words Alive in any amount guarantees a smile!


INTROSPECTIONS


Best recent moment:

We just launched a new partnership with Neighborhoods for Kids, which will allow us to expand our mission into East County.


Worst recent moment:

On my first day back from vacation, a key employee resigned. Not the best way to start the day.


Dream for another life:

Best-selling author or Olympic athlete would be my top choices for another life, but I would settle for philanthropist with a big pile of money to give away , starting with Words Alive.


Tom York is the editor for the Nonprofit Profiles. Send candidates for this recurring feature to tyork@sdbj.com.

-Advertisement-

Featured Articles

-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-

Related Articles

-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-