Volunteer for Shared Reading Saturday

Shared Reading Saturday runs, in part, thanks to our dedicated volunteers! Volunteers help set up for the event, lead activities and care for the children who attend, so that their parents and guardians can give their undivided attention to learning.

Children break off from their parents during Shared Reading Saturday. While their parents are upstairs learning the kids stay in the atrium for crafts and free play.  The crafts are for children ages 4+ and the free play area is for children 3 and under.

Activities

Kids in the activity area begin by watching that month’s story, signed by one of the Shared Reading tutors and interpreted into English. When the story is finished kids can rotate through a handful of volunteer lead activities. Volunteers will be provided with the directions to lead the activities and the materials needed.

Free Play

The free play area is stocked with books, toys, blocks, and stuffed animals. Volunteers play with children and comfort the little ones. For some of the children this may be their first time away from their parents.  Volunteers best suited for the free play are good at wiping noses and creating fun distractions.

We try to accommodate volunteers preferences as best we can. Assignments may depend on the number of children in each room.

ASL and Interpreting Students

Shared Reading Saturday and the Gallaudet University Regional Center have an arrangement with the University of New Hampshire Interpreter Training Program in Manchester, providing senior interpreting students with practice hours. Currently this opportunity is only open to UNH Manchester and Northern Essex Community College students – however, volunteering for Shared Reading Saturday is an excellent opportunity to interact with Deaf children and adults and may count, for some ASL and ITP programs, towards community event hours. Please let us know when you register to volunteer if you will need someone to sign off on your hours.

Sign Up

If you would like to volunteer click the button below. All volunteers are required, since you will be working with children, to fill out a CORI/SORI form. CORI/SORI is a criminal/sexual offender background check. You can download the CORI form (PDF) and email it to us along with a copy of your photo ID and proof of vaccination. A member of human resources will arrange a time to meet with you via Zoom and confirm your ID for the CORI. We also ask that you fill out the NECC volunteer paperwork found at the following link: Volunteer Statement and Release (PDF)