Volunteer Spotlight
Given the number of volunteers that OPALGA counts on annually to do the amazing work that we do, we decided that everyone should get to know each other a little better. This month, we are highlighting volunteer member Navi Walker.
Empower: How long have you lived in the Chicago area?
Navi: I was born and raised in Chicago.
Empower: What town, village, or city do you live in now?
Navi: God, please don’t make me say it…, lol. Ahhh, Hillside.
Empower: What do you do for a living, or, if you’re in school where and what are you studying?
Navi: I am currently a concierge with Apple (computers), and hopefully I’ll be starting school at Columbia College Chicago…, woo hoo!!
Empower: How long have you been a member or involved with OPALGA?
Navi: A long time…, lol. Since I was 14 years old (I’m 23 now).
Empower: In what capacity do you volunteer?
Navi: I am one of the facilitators for RED, and sometimes I help out with Spectrum, when needed. I’m also going to try volunteering with OUTSpoken when it starts up again.
Empower: How did you come to volunteer for OPALGA?
Navi: I’ve been in it for so long that it’s just kind of grown to be a part of what I do. It was only natural to want to be more than a peer attending drop-in groups.
Empower: What’s your favorite color?
Navi: I used to be on this whole black-only kick, but I’m a huge sucker for bright, colorful things. Any bright color, I’m on it (except pink—pink is disgusting, no offense to hardcore pink lovers out there).
Empower: What’s your favorite movie and/or book and why?
Navi: Man…, I don’t know. I really can’t just pick one, but if I must say that I like one a little bit more than the others, it would be “Ranma ½” movies (totally obscure, I know), which are anime, and, oh, “Tipping the Velvet,” maybe. See I don’t know. I feel like I’ve made a bad choice there…, lol.
Empower: What are your favorite restaurants?
Navi: I love seafood like shrimp and lobster, so good old Red Lobster works for that. Also Benihana. I’m also really into Indian food, so I’m lovin’ me some Khyber Pass. But since I’m a serious foodie, like with movies, I can’t have just one favorite because I’m all over the place!
Empower: If money were no object and you could do anything you want, what would it be?
Navi: I know it’s a cliché to some, but I’d love to travel. Travel and write about everything I see and experience (hence the reason why I’m taking up journalism in college). Then, after that, I’d settle and open up an international café or restaurant. Yeah, that feels about right.
Thank you, Navi, and thank you to all of our volunteers! You may be next in the spotlight!
