First Niagara Bank Intern: Kelly

As a resident of New Haven, I have always found a way to be involved in my community.
Whether it be tutoring at St. Francis-St. Rose School, volunteering summers at the Pre-
Kindergarteners at St. Francis-St. Rose, teaching a catechism class for students wishing to
make their First Communion, or being an altar server and a youth group leader for St. Francis
Church, I have always given back what has been given to me. Unfortunately for me, I did
not find out about New Haven Reads until this past April. A close friend of mine knew they
were hiring interns for the summer and thought I would be a great match. When I read the job
description I instantly realized that New Haven Reads was where I wanted to dedicate my time
this summer.

Working with children is a passion that has been handed down to me. My mother is a teacher,
and as far back as I can remember I have been submerged in a teaching mentality. The way I
see it, if we want our future to prosper we must educate and prepare the youth as much as we
can for the years to come – this is exactly what I see each and every day at New Haven Reads.
Each child that walks in to New Haven Reads walks out with not only several books to keep
but also the assurance that someone is supporting and pushing them to achieve their greatest
goals.

Apart from being a tutor and doing administrative work here at New Haven Reads, I am also
one of two leaders for GameShow Club. Each week we create a new game in which we trigger
each child’s imagination, creativity and trivial ability. The children have worked on individual and
team skills as well as their sportsmanship skills.
This internship has been a gift in itself. The combination of the children, the staff and the
mission of New Haven Reads is what makes this place great.

Kelly Sanchez is one of five First Niagara Bank Summer Interns at New Haven Reads this summer. She attends the University of Connecticut and would like to be a Psychologist. Her internship is funded thanks to a generous grant from First Niagara Bank.