At iACT, we have great appreciation for the wonderful staff who make our service work possible! In this Staff Spotlight, Maggie Wagner, our Refugee Youth Program Coordinator, tells us a little more about herself.
Refugee Youth Program Coordinator
Q: Where are you from? How long have you been in Austin?
A: I am from Lafayette, Indiana and I have been living in Austin since February of 2015.
How long have you worked at iACT?
I have worked at iACT since April of 2015.
What do you do at iACT?
I first came to iACT as an AmeriCorps VISTA working in Communications and Development. Then in June of 2017, I was hired full time to work as the Refugee Youth Program Coordinator. Now I manage iACT’s website and social media accounts, run the iLearn Summer Refugee Youth Program, and oversee refugee youth mentoring and tutoring during the school year.
What do you enjoy the most about the work you do at iACT?
I most enjoy getting to see how happy and excited the kids in the summer program get when they come to learn with us every day. Their faces light up and their confidence grows because they know they have found a fun, safe place where they can work on their English language skills.
What’s the most challenging thing about working with refugee youth that you have experienced?
The most difficult thing I have experienced is making sure to get all of the right information for every child. Because many of their parents are still learning English, it is difficult for them to accurately fill out registration forms for their kids. I’m constantly double checking and updating children’s addresses, phone numbers, ages, etc.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working with refugee youth that you have experienced?
For me, the most rewarding thing is knowing that we have been able to give these kids a chance to make some really fun memories and grow in their confidence both academically and socially.
Why would you encourage others to support the work of iACT?
The work we do touches and improves the lives of so many people. Not only do our clients benefit from the services we offer them, but the volunteers, staff, and supporters all come away from iACT having had some kind of transformative experience, always for the better.
