Nahid Lakhani brings multiple perspectives to her new role as a member of LINC's Board of Directors. Her professional qualifications and expertise as an occupational therapist working with young children and focusing on early childhood development supports LINC's transition to serving families with younger children.
Nahid is also the mother of two children; she lives the experiences LINC inculcates through our programs. Understanding that books open a door to adventure and can help children absorb ideas, Nahid draws on her own childhood love of reading and shares books with her boys, noting that Frances Burnett Hobson's classic “The Secret Garden" was her own favorite.
LINC’s holistic model, which aims to change communities through literacy rather than focusing solely on individual impact, is an approach that Nahid embraces: "I love the ethos of the organization which speaks to the value that educating a child is the responsibility of the whole community rather than just the teachers and parents."
Welcome to LINC, Nahid. We are delighted to have you as part of the LINC family!
What attracted you to Literacy Inc. and excited you about joining the board?
I love the ethos of the organization which speaks to the value that educating a child is the responsibility of the whole community rather than just the teachers and parents. I am looking forward to collaborating with the team at LINC on their pivot in focusing on early childhood development education, which is where my expertise lies.
Why do books or reading matter in the life of a child?
Books help children dream and create and play. A book is able to transport you to places you have never been, and allows you to walk in the footsteps of people whom you would not have the chance to otherwise meet. Books do not discriminate between the haves and the have-nots, they do not care where you grew up. A book can take anyone who wants to join along on its journey.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
My favorite book as a child was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
What are you reading right now, and why?
Currently, I'm reading Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. I am a mother of two young boys ages 6 and 4, and I hope to gain some insight on how to best guide my sons in their socio-emotional literacy and provide myself some understanding on what really happens inside the head of a young man.
What do you miss the most about your pre-Covid-19 life? I miss hugs from friends the most and the excitement I feel from walking into a buzzy restaurant and eating a delicious meal. When Covid-19 is behind us, where would you like to travel? I would love to take my husband and sons to India. I want to see their faces light up when they experience the sensory overload this beautiful country provides with its busy streets, delicious food and welcoming culture.
Welcome to the LINC Board of Directors, Nahid!
For more information about LINC’s current online literacy programs, please visit www.lincnyc.org/events.