Read Aloud and Book Group Volunteer Opportunities: Spring 2017

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Words Alive is looking for some great volunteers to join our programs for this academic year! We are looking for volunteers that are invested in fostering a love of reading amongst at-risk youth and adolescents.

Volunteers must commit to the following:

• Completing a Words Alive Volunteer Application
• Submitting a current, negative TB Test (w/in the last four years); or chest x-ray
• Completing a background check
• Completing an orientation and/or 1-2 hours of program specific training
• Committing to weekly or monthly volunteer sessions (dependent on program)

Here are the programs for which we are recruiting:

Preschool Read Aloud Program - Preschool Read Aloud is a read-aloud program within Child Development Centers, Head Starts and State-funded preschools in San Diego County. Volunteers work in teams of two to read on a monthly basis curriculum reviewed by a cadre of former educators and Words Alive volunteers to enhance the reading experience in the classroom.

Elementary Read Aloud Program - Elementary Read Aloud is a read-aloud program focused on kindergarten through third grade education in low income communities across San Diego County. This program motivates children to develop a passion for reading and literature. Dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers devote their time reading weekly or bi-weekly to children in the classroom. These sessions go far beyond just reading a story, creating life-long readers and life-long learners.

Adolescent Book Group (ABG) - ABG is a multi-faceted program within Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS), focusing on college and career readiness with at-risk teens impacted by homelessness, teen parenting, delinquency issues, and/or the foster care system. Our ABG volunteers team-facilitate monthly book discussions within JCCS sites to improve reading levels, vocabulary, literary analysis and critical thinking.

*New opportunity highlight:

• East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Site!
  • Volunteers will facilitate book group discussions in teams of two-three with classrooms of 15 students.
  • Sessions occur every other Wednesday from 9-10am at the facility.
  • The end-goal is to improve reading levels, vocabulary, literary analysis and critical thinking among detained youth.

Please note: teachers and a class assistant will always remain present, and all training is provided by Words Alive and the facility.

Family Literacy Program (FLP) -FLP offers a seven workshop series in the spring to over 100 familes, delivering approximately 10 hours of parent education on topics of early literacy development in preschool age children. Each workshop includes an information session and skill building exercises for parents, group story time, and guided activities for parents and children. Volunteers will support workshop facilitation for a 10-week commitment, approximately four hours/week. *Spring program only!

If interested, let us know! We are happy to schedule session observations and to bring you in for orientation over the summer!

Looking forward to hearing from you!