Read Connect Jeffco (RCJ)
Volunteer to Read to a Child
Join our Reading Mentor Program: READ CONNECT JEFFCO (RCJ)
READ Connect Jeffco (RCJ) is a nonprofit organization (through ENC) that will group students with volunteer adult readers. READ Connect Jeffco will be creating a shared reading experience in preschools and kindergarten programs during the 2016-2017 school year.
Reading at a young age can be vital in future school success and literacy. Reading with a
caring volunteer reader can promote a joy of reading and learning, and greater self-esteem in young children. Positive role model readers can inspire children to read and learn. READ Connect Jeffco will implement these programs over the school year:
- Lunch time reading
- Story time reading sessions
WHY DOES READ CONNECT JEFFCO BELIEVE IN READING PROGRAMS?
Functional illiteracy is evident in many facets of life today. Our children’s ability to compete in today’s world and a global market economy can be enhanced by functional literacy and enhanced reading skills. Poor reading skills can jeopardize our country and our childrens’ welfare.
PROVEN RESULTS
Reading with Mentor programs in many other major cities has proven immensely successful and has improved childrens’ self esteem and reading skills. For example, a very successful reading program in Washington, DC is “Everybody Wins- DC”, and this program has inspired many young readers. The “Everybody Wins- DC” program has affiliations in many other states.
MENTORS – YOU CAN VOLUNTEER
RCJ is recruiting lunchtime reading volunteers from companies, government groups and other community organizations. Ask your company or organization if they would like to participate in the RCJ lunchtime reading program. You can let your company know, through their point person, that you want to volunteer to enhance a child’s reading skills by reading aloud during lunch.
CONTACT: Barbara Banning, RCJ Mentor Coordinator for more information or for a Mentor Application. Tel: 720-354-1444. Email: barrybanning@msn.com
If there is no lunchtime reading in your area you can still volunteer. You can also help donate to RCJ online by credit card, by mail via check or by phone for donating stock. Call 720-354-1444 for more information. RCJ will be operated by ENC, a 501 ( c )(3) tax exempt organization. Donations are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law.
You can volunteer either as a representative of a company that participates with the RCJ reading program, or through an organization that supports the RCJ reading program.
If your organization is interested in participating in the RCJ reading programs, we ask for support in these areas:
- Promote information sessions about RCJ reading programs
- Send a financial donation to support the RCJ reading programs
- Financial support will allow for: enrichment programs for children
- Recognition events for volunteers
- Funding books for the RCJ reading libraries at schools
- Funding books for students to take home
- Fund liability insurance for each volunteer
- Other administrative costs and support staff
To become a Reading Mentor, contact Linda Rediger at 303-279-8659, or Barbara Banning at 720-354-1444. For information on sponsoring events, or opportunities for a specific event, contact Bethany Glesser at 800-978-4290.
Sponsors of events will be recognized on signage at the events. Sponsors are also recognized in the newsletter and are thanked on the RCJ website as well as the donor related materials.
READING 3 X PER WEEK PROMOTES ENHANCED LITERACY AND HIGHER READING TEST SCORES
READING TO YOUNG CHILDREN – READING IS CRUCIAL DURING PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN YEARS
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For some great information about reading to children, check out “Bringing books to life,” from The Monitor:
Psychologists’ research points to new ways to nurture young readers.
By Jamie Chamberlin
Most parents know that reading bedtime stories to preschoolers is key to developing early literacy. But new research with low-income children by psychologists suggests it takes more than nightly reading to foster a child’s future reading success. Parents, teachers and others who read to children must also engage young children with lively, enthusiastic recitations that bring characters and plots to life, and pose open-ended questions that spark children’s comprehension, vocabulary and interest. Such reading-aloud extras, say researchers, are as important as regular teeth-brushing for children ages 4 and 5 because they can be the difference between a child who picks up reading easily and one who struggles when he or she reaches kindergarten.
Read more at www.apa.org
