Find literacy and reading resources in Nassau County, Long Island, including children’s reading enrichment programs and volunteer opportunities for teens and adults.
Program sites throughout Nassau County
(516) 293-2016, x5281
Help adults with a range of disabilities improve their literacy by volunteering at one of many day and evening programs. Through the Adult Residential Group, meet one-on-one with adults with various literacy needs, from building basic reading skills to improving content comprehension. “Book Nook” in Hicksville has volunteers help adults in the program sell used books as well as offering the opportunity to assist a one-hour volunteer-run book discussion group. The range of programs offers great flexibility with time commitments. Volunteers must be at least 16. Call coordinator of volunteer services Jerri Walker to discuss volunteer requirements and expectations and to fill out enrollment paperwork. For more information on the programs offered, visit the website and click on the “Volunteer Program” tab.
Family and Children’s Association
Hempstead
(516) 746-0350, x372
For people short on time but passionate about improving literacy, this group offers a number of flexible volunteer opportunities including a bilingual pre-K program for Spanish-speaking children called La Escuelita and PASS (Parents and Students Success), an after-school program that provides tutoring and homework help. Volunteers in all programs, held at the Hagedorn Family Resource Center, work to improve reading, writing, and to offer support and friendship to their students. Another volunteer opportunity involves reading to children at The Little Library in Hempstead. Some of the programs require training, and all volunteers must pass a background check before being approved to work with children. To find out more information, visit the “All Programs” tab on the website, call the number above, or e-mail volunteerservices@familyandchildrens.org. Contact Mary Ellen Sheerin at (516) 437-3776 ext. 400 for info about volunteering at The Little Library.
Nassau County local libraries
(516) 867-3580
Literacy Nassau’s Adult Literacy Tutor volunteer program helps over 400 adults with English as a Second Language (ESL) and basic literacy. Tutors help their students improve their reading, writing, and comprehension skills to an eighth grade level, after which they are transferred to GED and pre-GED programs to continue their education. Literacy Nassau volunteers must be over the age of 18 and willing to attend multiple training workshops and pay the workshop materials fee. Volunteers are also required to tutor at a local library two hours each week for a minimum period of a year. The next training workshop begins March 2, so hurry (but keep in mind that eight sessions will be held between then and June). To get started, call the number above or e-mail mail@literacynassau.org to receive an info book.
Locations throughout Long Island
Reading Is Fundamental serves children through a national network of volunteer coordinators and literacy programs in nearly 19,000 locations across the U.S., including sites managed by the Nassau County Library Association and by myriad school PTAs across the county. Last year, in New York state alone, 328,935 children selected 1,159,279 books to keep as their own. Visit the website to learn about volunteering, donating, or advocating with Congress to maintain funding beyond the current temporary funding resolution set to expire on March 4.
Also see: How to Help Your Child Be a Confident Reader
Resources: Our Education Resource Guide to the New York metro area
Our Online Calendar, for storytelling events and more in Rockland County and the New York metro area
