Reach Out and Read Volunteers :: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

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Contact our librarian:
Linda Demuro
(614) 722-3200

Why Volunteer with the Reach Out and Read Program?

1. Have fun and make a difference in a child's world!
 
2. Feel good about yourself and what you are doing. Volunteering improves longevity, lowers depression rates and reduces heart disease.
-The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research by the corporation for National and Community Services.
 
3. It takes more than medicine to have a healthy child - through the Reach Out and Read® Program you model story telling techniques parents can observe and later duplicate at home. You are offering parents the opportunity to be their child's first teacher.

Volunteering with Reach Out and Read®

What to expect when applying to be a Reach Out and Read® Volunteer

We hope to make your volunteer time with us an exciting and rewarding experience. Please note the application process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Reach Out and Read® Volunteer Brochure

Reach Out and Read® Volunteer Job Description

Adult and College Volunteers

As a Reach Out and Read Volunteer, you will help to make the waiting time more comfortable for children and families.  Our volunteers provide exposure to literature and music, while reinforcing developing language skills.  Volunteers transform the waiting area into a positive learning environment by incorporating thematic based activities.

  • Engage children in literacy and music related activities

  • Introduce language development through a thematic based curriculum which meets state standards in science, language and math

  • Read books to children while they are waiting to see their pediatrician

  • Incorporate books and music to create a fun interactive learning environment

  • Initiate interactive activities: coloring, puzzles, etc.

  • Introduce musical instruments and musical notation

  • Make reference information readily available for families such as library membership applications, local music resources, newsletters, and adult literacy information

Adult and College Application Process

Please note: While we are accepting applications from all interested parties, we have a special need for those individuals with a background in healthcare or education.

*If you will be volunteering as part of a group you are not required to complete an individual application.

  • 6 month or 60 hour commitment

  • Completion of volunteer application, including three references

  • Interview

  • Security Screening

  • Attend 3 hour hospital orientation

  • Attend on-site Reach Out and Read® training

  • Annual Retraining

Adult Volunteer - Submit an application

College Volunteer-  Submit an application

Volunteens

The goal of our Volunteen program is to offer teens service learning opportunities in a healthcare setting. Teens follow the same job description as volunteer readers and music volunteers. We accept teens into the Reach Out and Read® Program twice a year.

  • Complete a teen application, including two references and a parent letter

  • Attend a screening session

  • Attend 3 hour hospital orientation 

  • Attend on-site Reach Out and Read® training 

  • Deadlines for applying to the teen program are:

    • April 1 - Summer Program

    • September 15 – School-year program

Volunteen Application Process - Apply Now

Corporate & Group Volunteers

Giving back is important to many people, but time constraints often get in the way. We offer an opportunity conducive for corporate, educational and civic organizations. Through our corporate and group program, small groups choose a day, time and center to adopt. Members of the group then rotate volunteering each week. One person may only volunteer once every several weeks depending on how big the group is. We work closely with each group to ensure goals and expectations are met.

There are many opportunities for volunteer groups, please call us at (614) 355-0520 for additional information.

Nationwide Children's Hospital
700 Children's Drive Columbus, Ohio 43205 614.722.2000