From 826LA in Mar Vista: Gail Frigo’s first day as a volunteer tutor at 826LA was on March 27, 2014 and it was “love at first sight.” She thinks that the kids at 826LA are awesome! They’re serious about learning, whether it’s doing homework, reading books or writing creative stories. They all laugh and smile a lot as they work and play together.
Gail moved to Santa Monica from Chicago in 2004, and she enjoys Southern California’s no below zero temps and no snow days! Leading an active and healthy lifestyle is important to her. Gail starts off her morning by going to the gym, and she loves it! Expanding her knowledge base is also a priority, so each school quarter she audits an undergraduate class at UCLA. She believes that learning is a never-ending endeavor; there are always new subject areas to explore, and it is so much fun!
From 826LA in Echo Park: Brett Robinson was born in a Texas town in the dead of night but escaped not too long ago in broad daylight. He has volunteered for 826LA for the better part of a year and loves every moment of it. When not spending his Saturday mornings at Barnacle’s Bookworms he often finds himself in movie theaters, wondering down newfound streets, or writing scenes from the biopics of ordinary lives. Given the chance, he’d tell you it’s gonna be all right and play you a Dylan song, or two, or three.
From 826LA at Manual Arts: Octavio Avila serves as Director of Student Special Services for the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. He works with undergraduate students to connect their academic education to a career after graduation. He has 18 years of experience working in higher education including college admission and academic advisement. Octavio started his work with 826LA in fall 2014 by connecting USC students to volunteer opportunities at Manual Arts High School. Since then, he’s facilitated 826LA volunteer opportunities for USC students, helped establish the 826LA at USC student organization, and currently serves as its campus advisor. He volunteered to help the Manual Arts High School Academic Decathlon team prepare for essay submissions and interviews.
Octavio is a first-generation college-graduate. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley in Ethnic Studies and received a Master’s Degree in Post-Secondary Administration and Student Affairs from the USC Rossier School of Education.
He is an avid endurance athlete and certified running coach who recently completed IronMan 70.3 in Santa Cruz, CA. When available, Octavio freelances as a jazz and Latin jazz musician. He grew up in Boyle Heights, just east of Downtown L.A., but now resides in Highland Park with his wife and two children.