Mural Dedication Ceremony

Written by Summer Fellow: Crysbel Corcino

The Puzzles & Strategies Club here at Willow Street is a great way for students to use critical thinking and creativity! It’s also an amazing way to make new friends down the line and challenge others in all sorts of games! In today’s age where it’s mostly surrounded by technology and advancements to it, our brain doesn’t use as much of its energy in comparison to completing a puzzle or competing with another person in a game. It is important that the students have all sorts of different activities to become more involved, overcome challenges, and use the different parts of their brains!

For setting up the club, students are split off into two groups, one for completing puzzles and the other for competing in strategy games. Depending on their age groups, the Willow team ensures that the puzzles and games are age appropriate for the students placed in the groups, and most importantly that everyone has a great time! For the puzzles, each student is given one box to complete throughout the overall club period.

These puzzles have a rough estimate to be around 200 – 800+ pieces, and are arranged by the
student’s age and grade. If there is a student struggling to complete a puzzle, on site staff and
helpers sit down with the student and help them with the progress of completing their puzzle.

Ever since I was young I have always felt a strong connection to books. They where a source of entertainment as well as stability. With the everchanging restrictions that Covid-19 placed on my early education, to moving up a grade and starting over with new teachers and new friends each year, I always had books to rely on when I needed to clear my head.

I am now a freshman in high school, when I was in 8th grade as part of National Junior Honor Society I was tasked with coordinating a community service project. That experience lead me to want to complete another project since my previous one had such a large impact on me. When thinking of an opportunity it seemed natural that it would be book related. I wanted to use the resources that I have, to coordinate a book drive for NHR, because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to have books as a constant in their lives.

I am beyond grateful for all of the support that I have already received, and am looking forward to seeing where this project may take me. After only a week into the drive, I received over 50 books from a few families as well as a local elementary school who wanted to help out. I was well on my way to my goal of 100 books. In the end we received 300 books!! Three times my goal!!

I am elated to have the opportunity to help get books into the hands of more kids, since they had such a big impact on my childhood. I hope that this can become an annual drive.

New Haven Reads will serve over 500 students this fall, and we need your help! The whole week of September 23rd will be “Bring a Friend” week. We invite our current tutors to bring a friend or family member to join you and your students during your tutoring hour(s). The goal is to introduce our program to potential future tutors, so choose wisely!

To sign up, please register below.

Name: Eliza Shepard
Hometown: Hamden, CT
College and Major: Vassar College, Psychology
Tutoring Site: Bristol Street
Clubs: Finance 101 and STEM Exploration
Favorite Childhood Book: A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban

When looking for a summer job, I knew that I wanted to work with kids. This past year, I have found joy in working with children, whether it be while working at summer camp or volunteering at a middle school while I was away at college. These experiences have jump started my love of teaching and working with children. When I found the job posting for the New Haven Reads Summer Intern, I knew that working at New Haven Reads was exactly what I wanted to do. It combined all of the things I was looking for: working with kids, gaining experience teaching and lesson planning, and making an impact on my community.

Since working at New Haven Reads these past few weeks, my love for teaching has only continued to grow. The combination of tutoring and running clubs has given me experience working both one-on-one and in small groups. Each day at New Haven Reads is different due to the different students I meet and the different club activities taking place. Every tutoring session is different and every club brings something new to the table. This allows for lots of variety in my work day which always keeps me on my toes. Additionally, the wonderful staff at New Haven Reads and Bristol Street have been so helpful and encouraging, which brings the best out of me and all New Haven Reads students.

Even though I have only worked here for a few weeks, my experience at New Haven Reads has been inspiring. Working amongst staff who are so passionate about their work and intelligent students who are determined to reach their goals has made this job entirely worth it. I can’t wait to continue my journey at New Haven Reads this summer and see what else is in store!

Name: Justin Ayora
Hometown: Shelton, CT
College and Major: SCSU, English
Tutoring Site: Science Park
Club: Book & Film
 Favorite Childhood Book: Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Over the past year, since transferring to Southern Connecticut State University, I’ve found myself drifting around New Haven and becoming more enamored with the city. I  would dedicate evenings after school to walking somewhere new. A new store downtown, West Rock, East Rock, Beaver Pond, Edgewood Park, Long Wharf, it could have even been an innocent neighborhood street. Whatever it was, I lingered around. So when it came to making a decision for a summer job, I knew I wanted it to be in New Haven. I wanted it to be for this community. I knew I made the right decision because of how well New Haven Reads has taken care of me as well as our students.

Having worked for multiple education companies in the past, it’s only been smiles to see how well oiled a machine New Haven Reads is. My love for educating the youth has only grown since working here. I am in charge of the Book & Film club which gives me a liberating leadership in how I feel children should learn. Tutoring through NHR’s meticulous program has been insightful on what it means to be a good educator. The biggest takeaway over the past several weeks has been connecting with the children that choose to spend their time with New Haven Reads. Getting to know these children and their families have been such a delight.

Over the past year I have been observing a remarkable city and since working with New Haven Reads, I have been giving back and becoming a part of it.

Name: Crysbel Corcino
Hometown: Bronx, NY
College and Major: University of New Haven, Criminal Justice with a concentration in Crime Analysis
Tutoring Site: Willow Street
Club: Puzzles and Strategies, Book and Film
Favorite Childhood Book: Percy Jackson Series

When looking towards an internship or some form of a summer job, I had asked my Professor from my University. Herself and my other two teachers helped me look through so many opportunities and gave me insight on what I was looking for. At the University of New Haven, there is a Presidential Fellowship program, and at the time it was run by Director Ric Baker. He spoke highly of the Fellowship and how the fellows were brought closer to the community and were able to help out others. Getting accepted into the Fellowship was an enjoyable experience, even more so after receiving my site at New Haven Reads. After speaking with Ms. Hayley and Ms. Fernanda, I was excited to be able to jump in and be a part of the New Haven Read’s family. Being able to help children with their reading and comprehension skills reminded me of my younger self; especially once I started tutoring. As a young girl, I fell back on school when it came to reading and would often be at the lower levels since English wasn’t my first language. At kindergarten, I came in only knowing Spanish, so seeing myself in some of the children while tutoring healed my inner child.

So far working at New Haven Reads has been a blessing! I enjoy working in such an amazing team that has each other’s backs, and we’re always ready to face newer challenges! I would like to thank my Professors for helping me to find the Presidential Fellowship, for Director Baker in placing me with New Haven Reads, and of course, the New Haven Reads team for welcoming me with open arms! Can’t wait to see what else the summer brings!

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!