Summer Reads Mentor

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Bring literacy to life! Make a difference! Mentor children K-5 this summer with Summer Reads!

Do you like working with children and youth? Would you like professional experience and targeted training that looks great on your resume? Make a difference in a child’s life this summer by joining Summer Reads, an AmeriCorps VISTA program of Literacy Minnesota.

Each year, approximately 60 Mentors serve in pairs at placement sites in summer schools, libraries and community organizations across Minnesota. Summer Reads Mentors work together to fight the summer slide: a decline of literacy skills in children grades K-5 over the summer months. Mentors bring literacy to life through a variety of activities such as tutoring, gardening, movements, arts, storytelling and more.

Every site is unique and depending on placement, Mentors may design their own lesson plans or use curriculum provided by the site; work with children one-to-one or in small or large groups; act as a classroom assistant; or lead programming themselves.

This year, we are also piloting an Adult Literacy program for the summer. Two members will serve as Summer Reads Coaches at Open Door Learning Center-Southside. Inquire for more information.

Summer Reads Mentors serve in a variety of program environments.

All in-person programming follows COVID safety best practices.

Positions are available throughout the Twin Cities metro area and communities in greater Minnesota. Please check our website for locations ( https://www.literacymn.org/summerreads/positions).

Qualifications:

Summer Reads Mentors serve full-time for 8 weeks (10 weeks for Outreach Specialists) from June to August and are not permitted vacation or personal time, with the exception of up to three (3) days of leave for illness (possibly to change depending on AmeriCorps COVID19 guidelines). With prior approval from Literacy Minnesota, they may hold additional part-time jobs or take courses during the term of service.

Required qualifications include:

• At least 18 years of age at the time of placement.
• A U.S. Citizen, National or Legal Resident, Refugee, Asylee or have DACA status*.
• Must be able to clear a general background check, including a search of the Sex Offender Public Registry.
• History of volunteerism, work with literacy or work with children.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to speak proficiently in English and read aloud to groups/individual children.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota locations: June 13 - August 7.
• Outreach Specialists: June 1 - August 9.

Qualifications preferred but not required:

• Additional language skills.
• Background (work/volunteer experience, education, or combination) in Education, Youth Studies, Child Development or Social Work.

*Some non-US citizens may serve but are not eligible to receive an Education Award (e.g., individuals with DACA status). Please inquire for more details.

Additional Information:

In addition to the Mentor positions, Summer Reads has two special leadership positions - Outreach Specialists - that work side-by-side with the National Service staff to ensure the program runs successfully. Outreach Specialists’ primary role is to provide invaluable support, resources and training for Summer Reads Mentors. They also play an important role in our program evaluation process by supporting Mentors in the administration of literacy assessments, and collecting and analyzing the data. Outreach Specialists serve for 10 weeks and serve out of the Literacy Minnesota main office in Saint Paul.

Compensation Details:

Bi-weekly living allowance (approx. $575 pre-tax); $1,311 Education Award or $276 cash stipend at the end of service; service-related travel reimbursement; student loan forbearance; food support; training. Current public benefit assistance is not affected by AmeriCorps service but may be affected if applied for after service begins.

How to Apply:

Applicants must create a My AmeriCorps account to apply. After you create your My AmeriCorps account, you must then apply to the Summer Reads position listing(s). Applications are accepted and interviews are granted on a rolling basis until filled.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received before April 29.

AmeriCorps members can serve at sites throughout Minnesota.

• In the Twin Cities metro area (including suburbs) Summer Reads Mentor candidates first apply to the Twin Cities Summer Reads program and then, once accepted into the program, are placed at host sites in the metro area.
• Outside of the metro in greater Minnesota, Summer Reads Mentor candidates apply directly to the location(s) of their choice.

Questions about Summer Reads?

Contact Stevie Lewis ( slewis@literacymn.org).