“My favourite moment from the reading program so far was the first time my mentee read a story to me. They didn’t usually like to read aloud, even if it was just a few sentences so experiencing that milestone with them was awesome.”
1) Why did you choose to volunteer with NITEO?
I started volunteering with NITEO because I really like their message and work of engaging with the local community through books and reading.
2) What was your first day like?
My first day made me nervous because I was also new to the city, so I got a bit lost! Once everyone arrived, I realized we were all in the same boat. I was able to form some awesome connections!
3) What have been your favourite parts of volunteering as a Reading Mentor?
My favourite part of being a reading mentor is finding what a mentee is passionate about and helping them find books and resources to explore that passion. The time commitment has been fairly easy to manage and as I am a student the sessions line up well so that they end before exam season starts which is really nice.
4) Have you noticed any growth/progress in your mentee?
My mentee has made huge strides in their confidence when reading aloud and has also really been growing their vocabulary.
5) Are there any memorable moments from the past year?
My favourite moment from the reading program so far was the first time my mentee read a story to me. They didn’t usually like to read aloud, even if it was just a few sentences, so experiencing that milestone with them was awesome.
6) Have you learned about any other cultures through this experience?
I feel like I’m constantly learning about other cultures during the reading program. This is primarily through circle time when we have a prompt that everyone gets to answer.
Liana Thurston Del Villano
Awesome Hillary! You were born a leader ❤️