I want to help

Become a volunteer

“There’s no better way to volunteer than to help others dream”

Romain Gary

Want to help a child dream? Become a volunteer at JAME!

Every year, about 100 volunteers support children ages 6 to 12 in their academic journey and instill a love of reading—a gift that lasts a lifetime!

Are you available for one hour a week between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for at least six months? We might be able to match you with a child in one of the areas we serve!

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As a JAME volunteer, we offer you:

  • An initial training session lasting 2½ hours
  • Personalized support every step of the way
  • Access to our library and its more than 6,000 books and games
  • two continuing education sessions per year and informal talks on a variety of topics related to JAME’s mission
Testimonials

“We have a wonderful volunteer who helps us out a lot!”

“Thank you so much for all the work you do at JAME. We have a wonderful volunteer who helps us a lot! My daughter has made great progress in reading since she started reading with her. My French isn’t very good either, but sometimes I sit with them and listen, or read a short sentence, and I’ve learned a lot![...]

A mom

“Thank you so much for all your hard work at JAME. We have a wonderful volunteer who helps us so much! My daughter has made a lot of progress in reading since she started reading with her. My French isn’t very good either, but sometimes I sit with them and listen, or read a short sentence, and I’ve learned a lot! The volunteer is a role model for my daughter. Now, her dream is to go to college and help children who are struggling. She’ll make it—I’m sure of it! Keep up the great work, and thank you again!”

A mom

“I left with a little boy who was much more confident and passionate about reading”

“When I finished my second year with this lovely family in June 2018, I left behind a little boy who was much more confident, passionate about reading, and a beaming mother who could hold a basic conversation in French. As for me, I can’t begin to describe the deep sense of joy I felt seeing the face of a little boy[...]

Isabelle, volunteer

“When I finished my second year with this lovely family in June 2018, I left behind a little boy who was much more confident, passionate about reading, and a beaming mother who could hold a basic conversation in French. As for me, I cannot express the deep joy I felt seeing a little boy’s face light up as he gradually got the hang of words.”

Isabelle, volunteer

“A relationship of trust has also developed”

“In addition to building a bond with my young reader, I’ve also developed a relationship of trust with her parents, sister, and brother. I’ve come to realize that my role with my young reader and her family has expanded. Recently, the parents and children went to our neighborhood library to sign up. I[...]

Stephanie, volunteer

“In addition to building a bond with my young reader, I’ve also developed a relationship of trust with her parents, her sister, and her brother. I’ve come to realize that my role with my young reader and her family has expanded.”

Recently, parents and children went to our neighborhood library to sign up. I can assure you that the children were eagerly waiting for me the following week to tell me that they had been to the library, seen lots of things there, and borrowed books and a puzzle. What a joy it was for me to see their eyes still sparkling with the magic of discovering all the treasures a library has to offer!

Stephanie, volunteer

Request for Information

To learn more about our programs or volunteer opportunities, please contact us!