Author Archive

Name: Juandiego C.
Volunteer Location: Willow Street
Years Volunteered: >1

When and why did you first start volunteering with NHR?
I started volunteering with NHR in February of this year. What prompted me to volunteer was seeing a NHR flyer at work and thinking this would be a great opportunity to participate in the community. I volunteer because it allows me to use my time towards something that actually matters, which is being able to help others.

What keeps you coming back?
I keep coming back because the the kids I tutor deserve someone who cares about their progress. There’s a sense of responsibility that comes with committing to the children and really showing up, being present each and every time. The kids I work with are so imaginative, and it feels great being able to encourage that creativity and be excited for them.

What kind of impact do you believe that NHR has on our community and the city of New Haven?
For someone like me who is the first in their family to go through the U.S. public school system, I think NHR is a great resource for children whose parents or guardians may not be familiar with the education or language children need to do well in school. This becomes very important in a place like New Haven where there’s so many families from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. I think NHR does an amazing job of integrating all those different experiences into one collective safe space where children can learn and feel supported. I also think if parents or guardians have busy work schedules, NHR allows their children to still have that one-on-one tutoring they otherwise might not have at home.

What impact, if any, do you feel that volunteering at NHR has had on you?
In the short time I’ve been with NHR, I think about my own experience having gone through elementary school and having to take ESL classes to help with my reading. Part of it is feeling nostalgia of now being on the other side helping students with their reading.

If you could describe your volunteering experience at NHR in one word, what would it be?
Engaging.

Name: Gary W.
Volunteer Location: Willow Street
Years Volunteered:  5 ½

How did you hear about NHR?
Another tutor told me about it. I shadowed him and was hooked.

What’s your favorite part about tutoring?
This is easy—without a doubt, it is watching the students develop. Sometimes there are bumps in the road and you question yourself; if you are really doing anything for the student. Then the staff, all of whom are so skilled and encouraging, lessen the doubts you may have and provide just the right suggestion to get back on the right path. The other thing that convinced me to tutor is the parents. The parents have to bring the student in and pick them up after each session. I told myself, “If they can commit to this effort, then so can I.” The students might be tired from having spent a day at school, but they come into New Haven Reads excited and willing to work hard.

Any fond memories you’d like to share?
Oh, there are so many fond memories, but one comes to mind immediately. Early on, I tutored a first grader who had been tested to be reading at the kindergarten level. Even at the first session, I felt something was not right. At the second session, just as a game, I had her slowly read the 12 words in the workbook exercise. Then when she did not expect it, I shut the book and said “Now write down the 12 words.” She not only recalled all 12, but wrote them in order! The whole picture changed right then and there and in six months, she was tested to be reading at the 4th grade level.

If you could describe NHR in one word, what would it be?
One word to describe NHR? REWARDING. Rewarding because you are returning something to the community because you were given advantages that were not given to these students. Rewarding because you actually see the student developing. Rewarding because you develop new skills thanks to the help given by the staff—they are so skilled and encouraging. Rewarding when you see the student greet you in the session as a friend and a mentor. Rewarding when you see so many tutors giving their time to this program and realizing that you are a part of this rewarding program. Rewarding, just because it is a lot of fun.

Name: Meg G.
Volunteer Location: Science Park
Years Volunteered: 5 

When and why did you first start volunteering with NHR?
I began volunteering at NHR about five years ago.   When I retired I found I had extra time available.  I looked into a few different volunteering options, but NHR seemed like a really good fit for me.

What keeps you coming back?
I keep coming back because I value the students I have tutored.  I love to read and hope I have conveyed my love of reading to them.

What kind of impact do you believe that NHR has on our community and the city of New Haven?
I think NHR is great for the New Haven community.  It gives people of different ages and backgrounds a chance to come together and realize that we are more alike than different. I honestly feel that I learn as much from my students as I hope they learn from me.

What impact, if any, do you feel that volunteering at NHR has had on you?
Volunteering has had a positive impact on me.  Truthfully, I was a little hesitant at first, due to the fact that I do not have a teaching background.  All of the NHR personnel I have worked with were always there for guidance.  That, in turn, gave me confidence in my abilities.

Describe New Haven Reads in one word.
FUN!!!