This week, we said a fond farewell to Mariesa Arrañaga Kubasek.

Mariesa started her journey with 826LA as a volunteer in 2013, tutoring students after school every Tuesday. She rose to be our Volunteer Program Director, nurturing and developing 826LA’s volunteer connections for over seven years. During that time, Mariesa inspired countless individuals to take part in our work, strengthening our organization’s overall impact on students from under-resourced schools and the community at large. 

Mariesa was a valuable part of 826LA’s transition to virtual programming and resources in a difficult year. The impact of her work will be felt for years to come, and it is evident in the deep connections we hold with the local community today, despite being physically distant since last year’s stay-at-home orders took hold. We at 826LA wish Mariesa all the best in the next step on her life’s journey! 

Mariesa was happy to share about her favorite moments from working with the Volunteer Team, the many hats our amazing students wear, and why she needs to throw her crystal ball out. 

What is your favorite 826LA memory?

I have a stand-out memory, and a cluster of favorite memories. My first session of TNT [our tutoring program for teens], I sat down at a table with two students, Angel and Galvin. Angel, who was painting a papier-mâché project, immediately turned to me and asked if I could help. Galvin was quieter at first. He opened up more as the session went on, and we learned we both liked the same music. It was a small, quiet moment and a typical snapshot of TNT. 

My other favorite moments also include, but are not limited to: hearing students describe the characters in the Field Trips stories (most often, sentient food in eclectic clothing and with enviable super powers); reading a student’s memoir about her grandmother, which she had secretly been working on for years; learning that a student had invented his own comic book series, and card game, and cinematic multiverse; being in the audience when a student read a suspenseful ghost story and hearing the volunteers cheer her on; seeing volunteers connect with students over shared interests; rejoicing with students and volunteers when they solved a tough homework question; having the honor of hearing so many students’ stories of resilience.

When you reflect on the work you did at 826LA, what are you especially proud of?

I enjoyed working alongside staff and volunteers who cared deeply about our neighbors, about equitable access to education in our city, and about the students and their futures.

Working on the Volunteer Team, I was at the meeting point of several very amazing groups of people. It was exciting to see people connecting with each other by way of our programs, and to see those connections flourish over the years.  

What strengths do you see in 826LA students?

Is there a word limit for this response? The students at 826LA are all so different, with their own unique interests, skills, and strengths. They’re already young poets, activists, illustrators, anthropologists, musicians, comedians, filmmakers, and more, even before they know 826LA exists. 

At 826LA, students have dedicated time to explore all their ideas and questions, and are supported in the process of learning, understanding, and expanding on their strengths. Students are encouraged to follow their curiosity and their creativity. I think because I was privileged enough to support and witness the students’ growth at 826LA, I say that all of 826LA’s students are inventive, brilliant, resilient, and in multitudinous ways.

Why is writing important?

Writing is important, especially now, because it can be a lifeline. It’s a way to document your external world, even when it’s as simple as writing things like “I smell coffee.” It’s also a way to explore your internal world, to process what you are thinking and feeling. Again, even if it’s as simple as a statement like, “I am content today.” Writing is a way to ground yourself in order to better understand yourself. 

Writing is also a window into understanding each other’s worlds, a way to learn about each other’s subjective experiences, work out those empathy muscles, and connect. Other people might know what it’s like to smell coffee in the morning, or to feel content. But they might not know yet what memories the smell of coffee brings up for you, or the particular type of contentment you feel.

Most importantly, writing can be a powerful tool for positive change. In your writing, you can create something completely new, like when a student wrote about his invention to create more clean drinking water. Once you write it down, your invention becomes more real, more tangible for both you and for other people. It makes new and “impossible” things feel possible. I think that’s really inspiring, for both us and the students.

Using your crystal ball, what do you see for 826LA’s future?

Well, listen, after 2020, I’ve thrown out my crystal ball (and any other fortune telling device, for that matter)! This last year brought significant change and challenges, and everyone at 826LA met them with compassion, creativity, diligence, and hard work. 

Everyone found a way to continue providing an important service to students and families. That’s why I have every faith that no matter what the future holds, 826LA will continue to thrive.