Opportunities for Volunteerism and Good Deeds to Support Children’s Literacy in Philadelphia
Submitted by Philadelphia Reads
When the President’s Summit for America’s Promise met in Philadelphia in 1997, educators, legislatures, and other community leaders discussed ways to help build the character and competence of America’s youth. As a part of America’s Promise, PHILADELPHIA READS was formed to enhance literacy skills and ensure that all Philadelphia students are able read well and independently by the end of third grade.
The goal of PHILADELPHIA READS is to strengthen the literacy skills of Philadelphia’s youngest and neediest school children. The organization works to accomplish this by partnering with individuals, schools, community and faith-based organizations, and businesses to provide mentors, resources and advocacy for in-school, after school, and summer programs. With 45 % of our students reading below the proficient level, there is much work to be done.
Volunteerism is at the heart of America’s Promise and PHILADELPHIA READS. With the support of the community, PHILADELPHIA READS has distributed over one million books and provided 50,000 children with direct literacy support. To continue in its quest to raise a City of readers, PHILADELPHIA READS seeks community partners to volunteer their time on behalf of Philadelphia’s children. PHILADELPHIA READS is currently focusing on three major volunteer initiatives: Power Partners, Reading Coach Volunteers and Book Drives.
The Power Partners program matches 42 first and second grade classrooms with corporations, banks, law firms, city offices, courts other non-profits. Children are bussed to their Power Partner sites for weekly tutoring and mentoring sessions. In addition, teachers of the classrooms receive $1000 to purchase additional books for their class libraries. As a result of this program, the Power Partners often feel connected to the school and the children, and continue to remain involved. This is truly a feel-good program- everyone wins. There are currently 1700 professional volunteers, representing 34 organizations, who are working weekly with 1200 students. We are proud to note that there is no other city in the United States with such a significant and powerful volunteer program that matches corporations with classrooms for weekly tutoring.
The Reading Coach program consists of recruiting, training and placing community volunteers at schools and community organizations throughout the City. Reading Coaches commit one hour a week to spend time with a first through third grade student who is struggling in reading and writing. Currently, 500 individual volunteers are working weekly to improve the literacy of Philadelphia’s children.
Many corporations and individuals participate in company book drives to collect new and gently used children’s books. Please note that children’s books will be accepted for donation at the 24th Annual Mayoral Luncheon on February 14, which is sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Comcast. The books collected at this event will be placed in the PHILADELPHIA READS Children’s Book Bank where teachers can come from all over the city to take the books for their classroom libraries. Last year over 108,000 books were distributed to schools. This would not have been possible without the strong participation of Philadelphia area businesses and private schools.
Read Across America (Philadelphia Day) is on March 2nd. This day is was created by the National Education Association to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and to kick off National Reading Month. Read Across Philadelphia Day sends volunteer business employees, CEO’s, City Council members, state representatives and concerned citizens to Philadelphia classrooms to read a Dr. Seuss book to the children. The volunteers donate a book to the classroom as well. The Mayor of Philadelphia also reads to the children at the kick-off program for this day. PHILADELPHIA READS is proud to organize this national program in the city of Philadelphia. While we already have hundreds of volunteers reading across the city, there is always room for more. As Dr. Seuss wrote, “You’re never to too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read to a child.”
Martin Luther King’s Day of Service gives other volunteers the opportunity to work on some of the projects. Several companies encouraged their employees to shelve and sort books at the book bank, while others created books on tape.
Another opportunity for volunteer participation is the Reading Olympics program, Summer READS. During the second week in May, students in grades 4 to 6 compete with students from other schools over their knowledge of 20 novels they have read prior to the competition. Questioners and scorekeepers are needed for this celebration of reading event.
If you are interested in joining the Power Partners, becoming a Reading Coach, holding a Book Drive, or volunteering for one of our annual events, please contact us at (215) 851-1748 or PhiladelphiaReads@gpuac.org. Also, check out our website for up-to-date program information and upcoming events, www.phil.gov/philareads. With your help and dedication we will raise a City of readers!
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