Mighty Volunteer
Joe Lewis
School: Drexel University
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa
Volunteer Tenure: Four years.
What I do at MW: Assist with the middle school kids in the Mighty Academy and help with the occasional workshop.
As a kid: I liked to write fiction. I still do.
But now: I also like humor writing, sketch comedy and stand up.
What keeps me coming back: My connection with the kids.
Writing and Philly: Philadelphia kids are very expressive, whether through music, art or writing.
How Mighty Writers affects my life: For the two and a half hours I’m there, my cares and problems go away. Time spent with the kids is very therapeutic. Mighty Writers helps me get through the week.
Favorite book as a kid: “The Giver.”
Last book I read: “One Day It’ll All Make Sense,” the memoir of hip-hop artist Common.
I was influenced to care about writing: By my third and fourth grade teachers. They taught me the importance of expressing myself through the written word. My third grade teacher allowed me to write whatever I wanted. My fourth grade teacher ALWAYS had us writing. And my mother, every summer, would send me to reading and writing camps.
