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Volunteer Stories: Reading Buddies at the Frederick Douglass Center | March 23, 2016

by Hillary Doyle (Scholastic)

I love everything about working in children’s publishing, but due to the fact that I personally don’t have or know any children, I sometimes feel a disconnect. Even though I may *love* the latest middle-grade masterpiece, my opinion doesn’t matter as much as the reaction of an 8-12 year old does; AKA the intended primary audience of the book. This is why knowing how kids in real life react to our books can only serve to help us publishing professionals become better at what we do.

In the interest of remedying my disconnection, I recently signed up for an after-school reading program with New York Cares. The program I chose is called “Reading Buddies;” we meet with 6-10 year old students on Friday afternoons at the Frederick Douglass community center on the Upper West Side to work on their reading for 45 minutes, before doing a group writing activity and craft. It was exciting to see some of the books my colleagues had worked on in the hands of actual readers, and to gauge their reactions to each page. I was often surprised by the insightful things they noticed, and now when I read a new manuscript, I think of the kids I’ve met at Reading Buddies. I showed up in my first week not entirely sure what to expect, and was left wanting to make sure I signed up for every week of the remaining school year!

New York Cares has a variety of different service opportunities across all kinds of fields. In addition to programs that work with children’s literacy, New York Cares also has programs that focus on environment issues in our communities,art education, and ESL. Check out our newsletter as well as the New York Cares website to find other projects that could use your help!

Featured Volunteer Opportunities:

Young Authors at Jackie Robinson Recreation Center
Thursdays 6:30-8p, Hamilton Heights, Manhattan

Stimulate young minds by breaking from the traditional school day and cultivating an environment of endless possibilities through creative writing exercises. Volunteers will work with 5th grade students from the The Jackie Robinson Rec Center, a community center located in West Harlem, and help them explore the depths of their imagination by writing poetry, prose, short stories, songs and memoirs. Spanish language skills helpful, but not necessary.

Early Morning Reading at PS 17 Q
Thursdays 7:10-7:50a, Astoria, Queens

Calling all early birds! Help combat illiteracy and foster an environment of supportive learning with the students from PS 17 Q, an elementary school located in Astoria, Queens. Volunteers will strengthen student’s literacy skills through paired and group reading activities. Spanish language skills helpful, but not necessary. Attending multiple sessions are not required but, strongly encouraged!

Art Explorers with Arab-American Family Support Center
Saturday April 2, 11a-12:30p

You can’t spell “Saturday” without “a,” “r,” and “t” which is why this creative program with the Arab-American Family Support Center is the best way to kick off your weekend. Volunteers will assist children of all ages in a variety of arts and crafts activities helping them build communication and problem-solving skills, in addition to fostering imaginative thinking.

Revitalize East River Park
Saturday April 2, 10a-1p

Garden, plant, mulch, paint and more on the 57 waterfront acres of this dynamic and scenic Lower East Side green space.