Read to a Child at the Downtown Miami Charter School

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GIVE STUDENTS MUCH NEEDED ONE ON ONE ATTENTION IN MIAMI SCHOOLS.

BECOME A READING MENTOR TODAY!

WHAT IS READ TO A CHILD?
Read to a Child is a national literacy and mentoring non-profit that fosters a love of reading, improves literacy skills and supports socio-emotional well-being in students from under-resourced communities. Read to a Child partners with thousands of community and corporate volunteer mentors from more than 150 local businesses and organizations who read one-on-one to elementary students at under-resourced schools in the greater metropolitan areas of Boston, Detroit, Hartford, Los Angeles and Miami.

Read to a Child’s mission is to foster a love of reading, improve literacy skills and support socio-emotional well-being in students from under-resourced communities. Read to a Child’s vision is that every child has the opportunity to thrive in school and beyond through inspirational mentoring and read-aloud experiences.

WHAT IS THE READ ALOUD MENTORING PROGRAM?
In Read to a Child’s Read Aloud Mentoring Program, an adult is partnered one-on-one with a student attending one of our partner elementary schools for a rewarding, weekly read aloud experience. The relationship typically lasts for the entire school year and often extends for multiple years through the end of fourth grade. Reading pairs are supported by an on-site Program Coordinator, employed by Read to a Child, and are provided access to a wide selection of appropriate books to read. Most recently, Read to a Child has added a virtual component to many of our host site programs, enabling mentors and children to connect online via Zoom or Google Meets.

The simple act of reading aloud to a child once a week, over time, can have a profound impact on the child’s future. The Read Aloud Mentoring Program also offers the adult a convenient, joyful, and meaningful way to give back.

WHERE ARE THE SCHOOLS LOCATED? WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?
The Read Aloud Mentoring Program runs October through May each school year during the students lunch break. Reading Mentors meet students weekly/biweekly at their school of choice. See our schools options here: https://readtoachild.org/locations/detroit/participating-schools-detroit/.

HOW ARE THE CHILDREN SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM?
Typically, our students are those who are willing and able to participate in the program and would benefit from one or more of the following:

1) Increased enthusiasm for books and reading,
2) English literacy support including listening comprehension and vocabulary
3) One-on-one time spent with a caring adult.

I’VE NEVER BEEN A READING MENTOR. WILL I RECEIVE ANY TRAINING?
Yes. All volunteers will attend an information and training session at your office prior to beginning the program.

I’M REALLY BUSY AND TRAVEL FOR MY JOB. HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
The Read Aloud Mentoring Program is designed to be flexible and convenient to allow busy professionals to volunteer as mentors. You can pair up with a colleague to be matched with one student. You can then alternate, attending sessions for around 30 minutes every other week.

ONCE I JOIN THE PROGRAM, WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A QUESTION OR CAN’T MAKE IT TO MY SCHEDULED READING SESSION FOR THE WEEK?
The program is well-managed by a Program Coordinator staffed at each site who maintains a 24 hour voicemail line. If you have questions, or cannot make it to your reading session you can call the Program Coordinator to notify them or reschedule your session for another day that week.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Complete the following steps: Volunteer application: https://rtac.secure.force.com/application (select individual reader or appropriate company)

Our Online Training Invitation from a platform called Rise will be emailed. Once that is complete, our JDP Background Check Invitations will be emailed to you.

Feel free to contact us at infodetroit@readtoachild.org with questions. To learn more, visit https://readtoachild.org/locations/miami/i