Lending a Hand for Literacy

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Inchara Gopinath. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Inchara Gopinath, a 16-year-old competitive golfer, cares deeply about the wellbeing of others. It shows in the way she represents the voices of 140,000 of her fellow students at school board meetings as the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District student advisor. It shows in the way she helped fundraise for cancer research with the Blood Cancer United Society without any type of personal connection or experience with the disease. She was simply honored to be nominated for the role by a teacher and felt strongly about the importance of the task.

Once a week for nearly seven months, it has also shown in her work with Angels and Sparrows (A&S). Inchara joined the organization as a Reading Buddy to young children with special needs and disabilities and has been helping them improve their literacy skills. She has also been named an official ambassador, imbued with the task of raising awareness about the program and reaching out to potential volunteers. A&S as a whole provides food, education and community resources to underserved communities and works with 23,000+ volunteers nationally.

As she approaches the end of her junior year in high school, she has already become a pillar of her community. Inspired, in part, by her work with A&S, Inchara hopes to pursue a career in the medical field to continue helping the people around her. as literacy development.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I really like seeing the impact that volunteering can make in society overall, especially with children. I think that they’re essential to our growth as society. Witnessing their progress really motivates me to volunteer with learning organizations, specifically. Even small moments, like a child becoming excited to read aloud or opening up about their day are meaningful indicators of progress and show how consistent encouragement can make a difference.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Angels & Sparrows.

Once a week, for one hour, I read to 6- or 7-year-olds. Sessions consist of around 10 children and three volunteers, so I’ll be grouped with about three to four kids. I play learning-based games and talk with them about their day. The children I work with have disabilities, so their growth and learning are slower, which has also helped me with patience. It has allowed me to learn about their overall well-being and help them improve that. I create a supportive and encouraging environment that makes them comfortable learning and expressing themselves through literacy activities, reading to them or simply talking to them.

On weekends, as an ambassador, I go to events to raise awareness of A&S and the needs of kids with disabilities. We go to fairs and meet kids’ families. Being an ambassador is really just taking on the role of representing these kids. I talk to people who are interested in volunteering and encourage them to get involved. We encourage younger volunteers in particular, because it’s nice for the kids to work with somebody a little closer to their age, but currently, the other volunteers I work with are adults.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

Mainly, I want to see that the children I work with gain tangible learning skills, whether it be reading or speaking skills. I want to see them able to apply those in their day-to-day lives.

What are some ways that you’ve seen your work impact these students?

I’ve seen them grow more confident in their abilities and more engaged during learning activities. When I first evaluated my kids’ literacy skills, I saw a wide range. We’ve come very far. We started with simple games like spelling and rhyming words. Now, they write their own stories. It’s been a fast progression.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part has been building trust with the children. When I first met them, they were hesitant to see a new face. Volunteers also rotate a lot, so they’re not always with the same students. Meeting me was a new experience for them, and seeing them become comfortable enough to try new things, express themselves and take pride in their progress reinforces how important patience and presence are in this field.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Advocacy starts with listening. Every student’s needs are different, and progress doesn’t always look the same. Volunteering has shown me that patience, empathy and consistency are just as important as academic instruction. My work with A&S has provided me a deeper insight into the fundamentals of learning and given me ideas for ways we can improve that I’m able to share in my role as CMS student advisor.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Volunteering allows people to directly connect with their community and understand different lived experiences. We often overlook the lives of other individuals until we actually experience them or work with those people. Volunteering is a meaningful way to support others while learning and growing personally.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Start with a cause you genuinely care about. Volunteering doesn’t have to be overwhelming or perfectly planned. You don’t have to do everything at once. Small, consistent efforts can make a meaningful difference, especially when you show up with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Service is about connection and care. When children feel supported and valued, it creates opportunities for growth that extend far beyond the classroom or reading sessions.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Inchara? Find local volunteer opportunities.