top of page

Bergen READS

In 2019 the Jewish Federation of New Jersey had to pause the Bergen Reads program. In an effort to continue the program's legacy, Bergen Volunteers adopted the program. Since then we have supported 300+ students offering them reading support to achieve academic success.

We combat illiteracy in Bergen County by training Reading Buddies

to work one-on-one with students in grades K-4.

 

Reading Buddies serve as tutors, advocates, friends, and mentors, meeting individually with students each week. Buddies help elementary public school students enjoy and improve their reading skills in a comfortable and friendly environment.

 
Volunteers for this program must be 18 and older. Volunteers work with students at their scheduled time during the school day, Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 2:30PM.

 

Are you interested in reading with students? Before you sign up, please consider the following:

  • The program runs from October through June (coinciding with the school year).

  • Participating elementary schools are in Teaneck and Hackensack.

  • You would be assigned one school and 2 or 3 students that you meet with each week on the same day, at the same time. The students are the same each week.

  • The weekly commitment is one hour.

  • All volunteers MUST complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting (done in Garfield). The schools will reimburse the volunteers. Details to follow - do not get fingerprinted now.

  • If you do significant traveling from October through June, then this is not the right volunteer opportunity for you.

  • All volunteers must complete one in-person training session at our office in Hackensack.

 

New volunteers are for the 2024-2025 school year. Our next training date will be in the summer of 2024. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop about Bergen READS volunteer opportunities. 

​

For more information, contact Lisa Tredici

201.489-9454 - ext. 208 ltredici@bergenvolunteers.org

bottom of page