Support Students Now! Today's readers are tomorrow's leaders- tutor a child with YReads!

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YMCA READS! is an after-school reading assistance and mentoring program at Perkins, Jamerson, and Sawgrass Lake Elementary Schools in St. Petersburg, providing opportunities for at-risk and low-income children in Kindergarten through third-grade to develop the reading skills they need to succeed in school. Volunteer mentors will work in a small-group environment and will be given continuous support by a full-time program coordinator.

WHO can volunteer? Anyone 16 years or older! No prior teaching or tutoring experience is necessary, just a passion to help children and give back to the St. Petersburg community. A full FREE training and all materials will be provided for you.

WHEN can I volunteer? As little as two hours per week will make a huge difference in a child’s life. Choose sessions that work best for you! Our program operates after school from Monday through Thursday.

WHERE do I volunteer?
Perkins Elementary (2205 18th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712)
Jamerson Elementary (1200 37th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711)
Sawgrass Lake Elementary (1815 77th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702)

WHY should I volunteer? You are giving a child the keys to a brighter future! Students not reading on grade level by 3rd-grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school or fail to graduate on time than their more proficient peers. By taking measures of early intervention, you are helping a child to succeed in school and life!

WHAT do other volunteers say?

"This is my second year of volunteering...[and I] will most likely be back next year. Last year, we had a boy that could barely read at the beginning of the year, and by the end of the year, he was reading one to two grades above level. It was amazing. His self-esteem improved, helping him was very gratifying.

I like to spend a few minutes at the end of each session, just talking with the students and letting them draw me a picture. A picture is worth a thousand words. Do you know, in almost every picture, one of my students will always draw me and her doing an activity, today she drew a picture of both of us on the swings. She always tells me, this is me, and this is you. It’s very rewarding knowing you're making a difference, there’s so much potential."