Name: Aerin McLaughlin
Hometown: New Haven, CT
College and Major: Yale University, English Tutoring
Site: Science Park
Club: Paint and Math
Favorite Childhood Book: Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann
After officially declaring my major in English this past school year I knew that it was time for me to proactively engage in the reading community outside of my own studies. Born and raised in New Haven, I have interacted with local families at my varying jobs over time, which has always reminded me of the impact and importance of meaningful connections within the city. Volunteering at New Haven Reads in high school was an extremely rewarding experience for me considering I attended New Haven public schools for most of my life and resultantly felt a special relationship with the students I had the privilege to tutor. I was thrilled to see that New Haven Reads was looking for interns this summer and that I could have the opportunity to reconnect with the program after several years.
I felt as though my reconnection to the program was long overdue, and that the growth I made since my last time volunteering would allow me to be even more helpful. I have loved every minute at New Haven Reads this summer and am extremely grateful for the team at Science Park that I look forward to working with everyday. A highlight of my summer so far has been running paint club. Getting to see all of the kids’ creativity and giving them a space to express themselves has taught me the importance of balance in the academic setting. I find that some of the students who come for paint club at the beginning of the day and stay for tutoring after feel productive and refreshed for their sessions. Not only do they get to be creative, but they also get to have a finished product they can be proud of. I am delighted with the students I get to tutor one-on-one and the progress they have already made. Every kid is unique and helps to foster a beautifully diverse and enriching environment for their peers as well as for all of the volunteers and staff.
I am excited to see what the rest of the program has in store, and I am grateful for this opportunity and the insight I will continue to gain from this experience!
