Volunteers needed for reading

read02: Volunteers needed for reading� Last semester 185 volunteers from 17 businesses and organizations gave selflessly of their time to help raise the reading levels of students in Kern County who needed help. The program is called Community Reading Project and since 1999 it has made a difference by raising the benchmark reading levels of more than 50 percent of the children it has served.

Another semester of the Community Reading Project is about to begin with training for volunteers on January 11 from 2-4 p.m. and January 15 from 6-8:30 p.m. at University Square, 2000 K Street in Bakersfield. No sign up is necessary.

“It’s a community effort and by getting involved you support literacy in Kern County,” said Teresa Irvin, Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) English/language arts coordinator. “Without businesses willing to let their employees volunteer to tutor one hour a week, there would be no Community Reading Project and the measurable successes we have been able to achieve over the last four years.”

Community Reading Project is sponsored by KCSOS and The Bakersfield Californian. It has trained and placed approximately 800 volunteers in approximately 30 Bakersfield area schools, since 1999. Volunteers tutor four students for one hour-a- week in each semester. Volunteers are assigned in teams of five so that the students receive assistance every day. Teachers have reported positive results both in reading achievement and student self-esteem.

“It’s an easy way to help, and it makes a difference,” Irvin said.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Irvin at (661) 636-4645.
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