Name: Aedy VanHouten
Hometown: Wallingford, CT
College and Major: Southern Connecticut State University, Major in Studio Art and Dual Major in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in English Literature and Arts Administration
Tutoring Site: Willow Street Clubs: Arts and Crafts and Elements of Art
Favorite Childhood Book: The Just Grace Series
As someone who studies the structure of non-profits at school and has worked in childcare and art education-related fields for my entire adult life, New Haven Reads feels like an organization that fits right into my professional wheelhouse. During the year prior to my internship, I attended New Haven Reads programs like the annual spelling bee and browsed the Bristol site Book Bank a few times. When I saw a post on NHR social media that said it was time to hire summer interns, I jumped at the opportunity.
An amazing opportunity it turned out to be! My role as an intern at NHR has perfectly combined all of my interests in literature, art, education, and non-profit work by giving me the opportunity to tutor, run art-related programs, and help out with various other tasks that keep the site running smoothly. Starting my internship in May allowed me to familiarize myself with the tutoring process and various teaching methods while subbing at Bristol. Now that I have been placed at the Willow site, these methods have been invaluable for working with the students I will be tutoring all summer. Seeing students improve their literacy throughout each session and continue putting in the work week after week has been extremely fulfilling and inspiring.
I truly believe that, given the correct care and tailored education, all students can blossom into the powerful people that they are. New Haven Reads is one organization dead set on getting them there! It has been amazing to see how dedicated NHR staff are to reaching the New Haven community, enrolling students, and providing help on an individual basis to each and every one. Being just a small part of the larger organization has been a great honor, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of this summer holds for my students in tutoring and in the Willow St. art clubs!
