My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been a Bergen Reads reading buddy with first graders at the Hawthorne School in Teaneck for eight years. For most of that time, Bergen Reads was part of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. It was transferred to the Volunteer Center - seamlessly and efficiently - a year or two ago. Reading buddies help students selected by the teacher. We are typically not reading professionals. But between the wonderful reading specialists at Hawthorne and our supplemental efforts, there typically is a significant improvement in reading levels. Teachers also tell me that the students benefit merely by knowing that an adult from outside the school community is taking an interest in their reading. In a few cases, I've even gotten positive feedback from a parent, although I'm not sure that parents generally know that their child's reading buddy is a volunteer from Bergen Reads.