Archive for the ‘Home Page’ Category

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!

Name: Sophie Salazar
Hometown: Stratford, CT
College and Major: Harvard, Psychology
Tutoring Site: Bristol Street
Club: Chess and Sub or Dub
Favorite Childhood Book: Little Women

Ever since I was young, I have loved storytelling. When I was a child, I would staple pieces of paper into little booklets and draw and write away, making little picture books. Nowadays, I write comics in my free time, and I am doing a minor in art with the intent of continuing in my comic creation. As someone who loves kids, and an intended psychology major with plans to potentially become a therapist, learning to work well with kids and empathize with others this summer is something I am very happy to do. And I get to share my love of storytelling in the process—what better way to allow children to immerse themselves in storytelling than by giving them the skills necessary to read? Because of these interests, working at New Haven Reads this summer seemed like an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful for the Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut funding me in this endeavor.

I have been working in this fellowship for four weeks now, and it has been a great experience. On the first day of orientation, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information thrust at me all at once. Then, tutoring time came. I wasn’t expecting to have to tutor on day one—but since tutors were calling out, my assistance was needed during the last tutoring hour. Although I had been told what to do earlier in the day, I was nervous to actually sit down with my student and help him learn to read. But when I did, it was not as hard as I was afraid it would be. My student was there because he wanted to be there; he wanted to improve his reading skills. So I sat there and helped guide him when he was struggling with reading or writing words, and congratulated him when he did a good job. When the hour was finished, I felt happy—happy because I had helped him make progress in his ability to read, even if that progress was very small, because it was progress toward an essential skill which will better equip him to succeed in life. I was happy because I knew I was helping make a difference.

I have also been enjoying this fellowship so far because I have been able to make use of my talents. Throughout the past four weeks, I have been assigned various administrative tasks, and one of them has been helping to reorganize and redo the Science Park tutoring location. I love making art, and one of the things I was able to do was paint a small mural for one of the walls at Science Park! I was able to help in decorating and also having fun doing something I enjoy. I have been able to work on a few other artistic projects as well, and that has been very gratifying.

Although the summer session has not started here at New Haven Reads yet, I am optimistic for it. I will be running Chess Club and Sub or Dub (anime—something else I am a big fan of). I want to make the most of my time here and really help the students, both by helping enable their future success by teaching them to read, and helping them enjoy their summer with some fun clubs!