Jenny Howard

(and for the record, she is indeed a first-name/last-name sort of person)

What is the best strategy for surviving the robot apocalypse?
All of the above, plus lots of meditation? (For me and for the robots??)

Please describe your ideal pizza.
So easy: With Partner (Mike Dobmeier, my beloved hater-of-mushrooms-and-olives)? Thin crust pepperoni and banana peppers with lots of parmesan cheese.  Without Partner? All of the above plus olives and mushrooms.

Favorite spice?
Ginger

What are you superstitious about?
This is not a superstition, but the people who know and love me will know that I need to use the restroom right before we leave any establishment/the house/the office, no exceptions!

Best Halloween costume?
I am terrible at Halloween costumes, but I love how easy it is to pull off a good old Rosie the Riveter or Harry Potter (a go-to or two).

Hidden talents?
I can wiggle my ears, which I forgot about until recently and just confirmed that I can STILL wiggle my ears.

Favorite book?
Cannot answer that, but George Saunders and Zadie Smith are two all-time favorite writers (and minds in general).

Tell the world a little bit about your 826 volunteering so far.
Over the years I've been so lucky to dabble in *almost* all of our programs here at 826 (still need to get to a Dr. Blotch performance/oops I mean Field Trip). A few favorites: I taught a workshop for students to write letters to their politician of choice (this was during the Obama Administration). I also got to teach a 6-word Memoir workshop in Ypsilanti (a partnership with the fabulous Ozone House) where the student memoirs were then painted onto the planters downtown - and they're still looking gorgeous! I also had the distinct pleasure of being an assistant on the Best American Nonrequired Reading project for several years. Drop-in tutoring on Liberty Street will be forever in my heart because that was my 826 intern assignment (in Winter 2009!). And one of my very favorite life experiences was serving on the 826michigan Board of Directors starting in 2011 until just a few months ago.

Favorite 826 memory?
So very many, but the composite experience of my time interning at 826 was such a pleasure.

Words of wisdom to fellow and future volunteers?
Yes, this place is as special as you think it is and it's because of the people who are part of it (students, staff, volunteers), so give yourself permission to go all in with your time or your creative workshop idea or your heart's desire.