Reading To Kids

08/18/08

Fabulous opportunity

by Ahmie at Citysearch

I have been participating with Reading to Kids for the past four months and I have had such a blast! It?s a great way to work with kids and meet new people. It?s such a rewarding experience. When I first signed up for Reading to Kids I thought I?ll do it this one Saturday, but that?s it because I love sleeping in on my Saturdays. But after that first Saturday I just wanted to keep going back every month. It?s fun, easy, and rewarding. For those of you reading this and wondering if this is for you, try it out! I am sure you will have a wonderful time. You are provided with a light breakfast, new volunteer training, time to plan ahead for your reading and arts & crafts activities, you always have at least 1 partner to read with, and free appetizers afterwards at El Cholo.

• Pros: Everything!
• Cons: None

07/24/08

Great for the commitment phobic

by MarielR at Citysearch

Not only is this a wonderful program for the kids, school and community, BUT what a natural high to see the smile on those kids! Of the many virtues of the program I must admit that one of my favorites is how flexible the program is for the volunteers. You can be super involved, or not. It is your choice. You choose your level of involvement. Volunteers sign up for whenever it is convenient for them, be it 12 times a year plus committee work to once or twice a year! Though if you come once, you will find it hard stay away! I have volunteered a lot, but never with this much flexibility.

• Pros: Too many to list
• Cons: Absolutely none

07/15/08

Nothing could be easier or more rewarding!

by ToddinHB at Citysearch

Ever since college, I've been an active volunteer, but have found LA to be a tough place to be a good citizen. But when I came across Reading to Kids, I knew I was in the right place. It's a enthusiastic group of motivated volunteers who spend the second Saturday morning of each month literally reading to kids. They are set up at various elementary schools in and around downtown LA, and it is a run like a well-oiled machine. The kids love it, the teachers are grateful, and the parents couldn't be happier. And once the kids go home, the volunteers are invited to gather for free appetizers and some "adult time" at El Cholo restaurant.

I've made a ton of new friends and truly feel as if I'm making a difference in people's lives, as well as enriching my own. I encourage everyone to try this once, and I think you'll be hooked. It's easy, organized and rewarding.

• Pros: Gratifying, easy, friendly
• Cons: None!

Dedicated to inspiring children with a love of reading, this grassroots program seeks to enrich kids's lives with literature.

by Jana Schreiber at Citysearch

In Short
Realizing the integral role reading plays in the power of imagination, Reading To Kids hosts monthly reading clubs with volunteers who read aloud to small groups of children. Instructors inspire discussion and assist in arts and crafts projects while parents receive information and training on how to encourage and motivate their children to read at home. Book donations are given to parents, teachers and school libraries allowing children from low-income homes to have age-appropriate reading materials.

02/01/08

The ?easy,? but valuable volunteer experience ?

by courtneyag at Citysearch

I have been a reading to kids volunteer for two years, and this is my first review on city search.

I joined reading to kids as part of a new year?s resolution to contribute more to the community. I enrolled on the website and was given clear directions to the school. I arrived on Saturday morning, I went to training, and was reading to third graders by 10 am. The experience was great! The children were enthusiastic about reading, the other volunteers were friendly, and getting breakfast was an added benefit.

I have stayed with reading to kids for a number of reasons.

*The clubs are always the second Saturday of the month, and if you cannot make a Saturday or two, its ok. You will be very excited to return the following month.

*The kids are great ? and after a few clubs, you will see returning kids that will recognize you and say the most endearing things!

*The other volunteers are ?good people.? It nice to be reminded of the truly nice people out there ? especially after a week of commuting on LA freeways.

*And of course, the main reason I stay, the reading to kids? staff is awesome!

• Pros: promoting literacy, great kids, great schools
• Cons: only one saturday per month