Mary Grace Mangano

Mary Grace Mangano is a high school English teacher in Harlem, having previously taught middle school in Chicago. Mary Grace also loves writing poetry, running, reading, exploring, and learning new things. She finds inspiration everywhere.

Read about how to get connected with others to learn about how to help the homeless.

You Can Help the Homeless by Giving Your Time — and a Listening Ear

Article / Volunteer

Give your time and friendship to individuals with intellectual disabilities — they don't want your volunteer services.

People with Intellectual Disabilities Want Your Friendship, not Your Service

Article / Volunteer

Know these critical points about being a human trafficking volunteer.

Get Involved in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Article / Volunteer

Read "Room with No View", a poem about freedom.

“Room with No View”

Article / Volunteer

Find the right words for what to say to someone with cancer by following this author's advice.

What to Say to Someone with Cancer

Learn how to help with climate change in 3 simple ways.

3 Essential Ways You Can Save the Planet

Article / Volunteer

How-to-Use-Social-Media-Mindfully

Using Intentionality to Transform Your Instagram Use

Article / Health & Wellness

This author deepened her faith by using running as a spiritual practice. Read how a running community helped that.

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

Article / Belief

Read this poem that details why the speaker of this poem is thankful for music.

“Thank You for the Music”

Article / Community

This Grotto poetry is a poem about workday subway car rides home.

“End of the Day Subway”

Article / Career & Finance

Explore more Grotto

Download this guide for exploring Near North Side, Chicago.

Free Download: What to See, Eat, Explore, Do, Try Near North Side

Get to know Near North Side, a Chicago neighborhood, by reading this local's guide.

Welcome to the Neighborhood: Near North Side

Check out these suggestions for six sustainable gifts that can help protect the earth and make your loved ones happy.

6 Sustainable Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Read this article to learn how moving back home after college could change your life for the better.

Why It’s OK to Move Home After College

Read this article for tips to set healthy boundaries in relationships and provide you with peace of mind in future interactions.

Boundaries 101: Creating Space

Find out how new family traditions can bring your loved ones closer together and facilitate meaningful memories.

The Power in Creating New Traditions

Listen to Good & Decent's reflection on the importance of listening emphasized by a community initiative helping people to feel heard.

Good and Decent EP 23: Free Listening

With these tips, learn how to pay off student loans while still maintaining a high quality of life.

How I Paid Off Student Loans (And Found Peace During It)

Read this reflective narrative about cooking cultural foods to connect with family history and heritage.

Cooking Was My Way Back to My Puerto Rican Roots

Read this article for three tips to develop healthy adult sibling relationships, regardless of your differences and past.

3 Ways You Can Repair a Sibling Relationship