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#ACCESStoGood Story: Aspiring doctor takes literacy into her own hands

Nadine Jawad

Pre-Medical Student | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

In order to get a “leg up” on their competition for medical school, your typical pre-medical student will simply volunteer at a local hospital or join their university’s pre-medical club – but Nadine Jawad is not your typical student. This self-confessed “overly driven” University of Michigan student wanted to do something she cared about, and just volunteering wasn’t enough. So, Nadine worked with her friends to create a new charity, Books for a Benefit.

Just last month, Books for a Benefit held an event to raise money in support of literacy programs, including those at ACCESS.

What is Books for a Benefit?

Books for a Benefit is a student-led organization at the University of Michigan, which serves the community by promoting education and literacy among at-risk students and in low-income communities.

Why books?

I didn’t have a lot growing up, and books were a good way for me to escape. Reading also helped to broaden my horizons – to look beyond myself.

Why ACCESS?

The work ACCESS does is centered on things we care about – such as early literacy, helping women, and so forth — and I think it's imperative that Books for a Benefit show its support for these causes.

In terms of your philanthropy, what are you most proud of?

One of things that Books for a Benefit does is provide volunteers for the Ann Arbor Veteran’s Hospital Book Club every Monday. One of the best memories that I have is when we bought one of the female vets a book, and we wrote a message in it thanking her for empowering us. She started to tear up as soon as she read it.

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

I’m an activist, I’m passionate and I’m strong-willed.

Thanks, Nadine, for letting us be your #ACCESStoGood! Click here to learn how to get involved with ACCESS.

This series shares the stories of the many philanthropists, change-makers and leaders that make up our ACCESS family. These individuals – ACCESS donors, volunteers and friends – embody the spirit of giving. It is our hope that their stories of going the extra mile in service to others and doing good through ACCESS will inspire you to embrace your inner philanthropist, and show you how we can be your "ACCESS to Good."