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Field trip volunteers work in pairs to help run the field trips program for Pre-K through 5th grade classes from the Greater New Haven area. During each class visit, volunteers read stories out loud and help each student pick out five books. We ask for a commitment of one field trip per week for an entire school year (approx. 1.5 hours). Field trips visit Tuesday-Friday mornings at 10AM. We provide On-site orientation prior to your first field trip, and shadowing is also an option. Please note, we have limited opportunities.Volunteer Application

Help choose books that go out to families and state-wide organizations through our Books for Kids program

Book Bank volunteers accept book donations, sort and shelve books, and fill book orders for pick-up by community organizations. You will surely find many books to take home! We ask for a commitment of one shift of 2 hours per week. Shifts are on weekdays between the hours of 12 PM and 4 PM Monday to Wednesday and 12PM and 2:30 PM Thursday to Friday. On-site orientation is provided during your first shift. Please note, we have limited opportunities due to space limitations.Volunteer Application

Volunteers will assemble literacy packets that go out mother and families across the state through our Books for Babies program

Literacy Tutors provide one-on-one reading instruction for students from 1st to 12th grade. You don’t need any prior experience teaching or working with children, just a love of reading and a desire to help a child succeed. We ask for a commitment of one hour per week, Monday-Friday 3-7pm or Saturday 10-2pm. Our tutors are trained in the New Haven Reads model which follows the science of reading. We provide a required one hour training session and a site orientation before your first session. You may also shadow a session, and we offer ongoing, in-depth training 3-4 times each year.View our tutoring locations here!Volunteer Application

Our MissionTo promote language skills and literacy for children, beginning at birth, and to support parents as their babies’ first teachers.Our VisionEvery family will understand the critical importance of early childhood literacy and will take an active role in their child’s reading development. All children in Connecticut will have books of their own.Core ValuesWe are committed to making books a part of every child’s life from birth.We are committed to supporting families playing a central role in their child’s early language and literacy.We are committed to collaborative work with parents, partner organizations, and other community groups.We are committed to financial sustainability.

Sharing the joy and power of readingNew Haven Reads increases the literacy skills of children by providing individually tailored one-on-one after school tutoring, educational family support, and a community book bank, all at no cost to participants.