Cassidy Francik, Reading Partners
Cassidy's Fellowship:
As a Baltimore Corps Fellow, Cassidy will serve as the Development Manager for Reading Partners Baltimore. Reading Partners mobilizes communities to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. As Development Manager, Cassidy will help support and implement fundraising strategies in order to sustain and expand the organization within Baltimore. Cassidy looks forward to stewarding donor relationship as well as assisting with events such as Reading Partners Baltimore's flagship event, Run for Reading Partners.
Background:
Cassidy is from Baltimore County. She grew up fascinated by wildlife, wishing to be a professional skier, and always had a lacrosse stick within reach. After earning her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Vermont, she stayed up north for another year while she completed her first year of AmeriCorps with the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. During this time, Cassidy made her plan to return home to Baltimore. She is now in her final year of Johns Hopkins' Environmental Science and Public Policy masters program. Cassidy is also in her third year with Reading Partners Baltimore, where she started as an AmeriCorps Site Coordinator at Francis Scott Key Elementary. She loves anything outdoors, specifically, skiing, running, gardening, and going on adventures with her dog, Roo. When she's not outside, you'll find her perusing farmer's markets, cooking, or baking as she is a fan of all things food. While she does not mix food and photography like many Instagrammers, she does enjoy photography as well as drawing.
Why do you choose to live and work in Baltimore?
Baltimore is home to me. And, I was reminded of that while studying in Namibia when a man kindly asked me, "Why do you help us when you all have so much going on at home?" At the end of my semester, I returned with a new career trajectory and new ambitions, all based on the idea that if I want to change the world, I need to start at home. Baltimore is the perfect place to do that. There's so much potential in this city as well as creativity, collaboration, and innovation. I'm humbled by its history and look forward to an ever improving future for all.
What's one surprising fact about yourself?
I interned at The Maryland Zoo as a chimp keeper!
Go-to snack?
Chips and salsa! Or, chocolate.
